Recently I saw a Nicky Romero music video titled "Legacy" and couldn't help but wonder how fucked up it was in its presentation. I am never the one to criticize people or say harsh things but this video simply disturbed me no end. Directed by Kyle Padilla, in the description on their youtube page, they have tried to explain the video by stating that (their words, not mine) - its a love story between a cancer-diagnosed mother and her son who becomes sort of "empathetic" vigilante. He is trying to "help her feel better- even if it means bashing in her co-workers car amongst other things." Please explain to me how will terrorising anyone or destroying their property bring happiness to her mother or help cut down her pain in any manner whatsoever??? If that is the case then the mother alongwith the son needs psychiatric help as well. The son is potrayed as a Heroic figure as he unapologetically bashes up vehicles, acts like a total bully and tonsures the heads of his mother's co-workers forcefully against their will by brandishing weapons while they are terrified, weeping and begging at his feet for mercy. How does this glorification of criminal acts bring peace to any character at all? How? I just fail to understand. They have further added in the video description that - although his actions are "slightly" misdirected his genuine concern and determination give her strength to continue on her fight against cancer. How can terrorizing other people and destroying their hair and vandalizing their property give her the strength? Even if I were to give her a benefit of doubt that perhaps (a back story is not provided in this context and am attempting to play devils advocate here to see their point of view) her office co-workers harassed her or there was any kind of ill-treatment or discrimination meted at the workplace, is this the right way to deal with it? That is the terrorist mentality. That is the reason we have law in place, a legal recourse to rectify injustice that has been done so that an eye for eye doesn't make the world blind. Being a creative person myself I understand the basic need for artistic freedom to imagine and express, cinematic liberty, etc. but then this is sheer bullshit. And the fact that they are batting for such a noble cause makes me cringe even more at the appalling, horrendous and insensitive concept and representation.
The makers further add that they have helped raise awareness for the cancer. It sure did catch my attention, yes they succeeded at that. But for all the wrong reasons and that makes me wonder is it really worth it? Is this how you go about raising awareness for a horrific disease? No empathy is evoked at all. Its just reduced to a gimmick for catching attention, thus in my eyes undermining the idea behind the whole exercise. Even if your intentions noble dear makers, the representation is way off the mark. Is this how one deals with pain? Families have people who unfortunately suffer from cancer, coma, paralysis, tumor, madness and other terrible diseases and the families can do nothing more than watch and suffer along with them ( I can say so from personal experience and tragedy.) No matter how much you love someone and want to do everything for them and no matter how much pain they are in, is it justified one goes around venting their pain, helplessness and frustration on innocent people in the world. This means those kids who might get inspired by this atrocious video and have a parent suffering from a terminal disease and are in a lot of pain are justified to pick up that gun, head to a university and shoot random innocent kids cause well they are in "Love" and suffering? This is such a bad representation of love. They are giving love a bad name and justifying crime. Oh I couldn't help it cause my cancer-ridden parent was suffering so I was in so much pain and wanted to impart her strength. This way? Seriously? How many impressionable minds must be watching this stupid video and what wrong message is being sent out? (Check out the views and the likes on this video on the youtube page alone). I am disgusted.
There are two things however that i do like about this 'disaster' if I may aptly call it so. One - the music is bang on. Great beats, definitely a hit at the clubs and parties. And Two - the fact that 3 actors in the video shaved their heads and donated the hair to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy. Indeed very praise-worthy and noble. But the goodness of this kind deed is by far marred and over- shadowed by the stupid damaging video.You have power. Media. Reach. I feel so damn miserable when i think what this video could have been, how strongly it would have stirred up the right passions in the audience to get up and do the right thing and be more sensitive and supportive of fellow human beings who are suffering from diseases. But, no matter how noble the intentions (which I seriously doubt) behind this video, it has the exact opposite effect on me. By all means shoot a video in a rough, rock, gothic, dark, intense setting but don't blur the lines and downright glorify and justify crime and violence in the name of "love". Its cheap, disturbing and disgusting and think about its scary consequences once its out there in public domain accessible to and wrongfully encouraging to gullible, lost young minds. In the end of the video, one of the actor tells the mother, "you got one hell of a boy!" And she looks at his photograph affectionately and proudly, fully aware of his criminal acts. I am asking you, what kind of a legacy ma'am would you be leaving behind? Not one that empowers humanity with love, brotherhood and co-operaion but one that justifies hurting the innocent in the name of passion and attachment, disguised as love.
- S. Chaudhary
Pictures Courtesy : Google Images
There are two things however that i do like about this 'disaster' if I may aptly call it so. One - the music is bang on. Great beats, definitely a hit at the clubs and parties. And Two - the fact that 3 actors in the video shaved their heads and donated the hair to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy. Indeed very praise-worthy and noble. But the goodness of this kind deed is by far marred and over- shadowed by the stupid damaging video.You have power. Media. Reach. I feel so damn miserable when i think what this video could have been, how strongly it would have stirred up the right passions in the audience to get up and do the right thing and be more sensitive and supportive of fellow human beings who are suffering from diseases. But, no matter how noble the intentions (which I seriously doubt) behind this video, it has the exact opposite effect on me. By all means shoot a video in a rough, rock, gothic, dark, intense setting but don't blur the lines and downright glorify and justify crime and violence in the name of "love". Its cheap, disturbing and disgusting and think about its scary consequences once its out there in public domain accessible to and wrongfully encouraging to gullible, lost young minds. In the end of the video, one of the actor tells the mother, "you got one hell of a boy!" And she looks at his photograph affectionately and proudly, fully aware of his criminal acts. I am asking you, what kind of a legacy ma'am would you be leaving behind? Not one that empowers humanity with love, brotherhood and co-operaion but one that justifies hurting the innocent in the name of passion and attachment, disguised as love.
- S. Chaudhary
Pictures Courtesy : Google Images
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