Beyonce - Formation

Beyonce - Formation

In what ways are the themes of conflict encoded in this video?

• Mise-en-scene - L/S of police officers lined up opposite a small vulnerable black child. 
• Mise-en-scene - "Stop shooting us," graffiti accompanies the lyrics "get eliminated" symbolises the threat of death made against the black community 
• C/U - Beyonce sitting on police car, sinking in to water, forming a binary opposition between the police and Beyonce, a black performer 
• Slow pan of dilapidated buildings accompanied by the lyrics "do you remember what happened in New Orleans?" - explicit reference to Hurricane Katrina, themes of abandonment of black community

Context 

Lead single for the album Lemonade was released a day before her SuperBowl performance

- She looks directly at the audience in a direct mode of address shows confrontation and aggression sensing power.

B.E.A.T
- Allows Beyonce to explore an aspect of black southern American culture, but it is just cultural appropriation
- Actual footage used, but mainly 'filler' footage and establishing shots
- Different agendas and ideologies for each text:
The beat is open and inclusive, while Formation is exclusive and aggressive