Rihanna and director Anthony Mandler had a creative vision when they decided to make a mini movie of her latest single “Man Down.” But since creativity lies in the eyes of the beholder, it is often times miss communicated, leaving controversy in the air. This held true after the “Man Down” clip premiered on BET earlier this week, and several critics and advocacy groups slammed the video for its raw images.
Wanting the world to understand her concept behind the video, Rihanna called into BET’s 106 & Park yesterday to clarify the visuals.
“I don’t like to just make videos, I love to make an experience and this is art with a message. This time around I wanted to explore and experiment a little bit with my acting, even more than I have ever before and I knew that only Anthony Mandler would be able to master this particular project for me. We work together on almost all of my videos and there’s a certain level of trust that goes into making a video like this one, which is like a mini movie and you never play it safe. We always push each other further and further out the box, it’s gotta be deeper, it’s gotta be clever, it’s gotta be artistic and “Man Down” is a song about a girl who has committed a murder that she regrets and is completely remorseful⦠Making that into a mini movie or video, we needed to go back to why it happened cause obviously she’s not a cold blooded killer, it had to be something so offensive and we decided to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address. Especially if you’ve been victimized in this scenario.”
She continues⦔Rape, unfortunately it is happening all over the world and right in our own homes and we continue to cover it up and pretend it doesn’t happen. Girls and boys feel compelled to be embarrassed about it and hide it from everyone, including their teachers, their parents and their friends and that only continues to empower the abuser. I personally don’t condone violence or murder, I’ve personally been abused in the past and you don’t see me running around killing people in my spare time. I just want girls to be carefulâ¦just try not to be naïve. And that’s not coming from a parent but a peer; I’m one of you guys and as much as you don’t wanna believe it, we go through the same stuff⦔
After the video premiered on BET, Advocacy Group The Parents Television Council, a non-profit organization that advocates responsible entertainment, slammed Rihanna for the “cold, calculated execution of murder” in the footage. The group went as far to say, “If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop. Rihanna should not get a pass.”
But Rihanna says critics and Advocacy groups are taking the wrong message from the video, adding “I didn’t go into it to make a controversial video, I wanted to make a mini movie, something raw and artistic and if I can be a voice for so many that aren’t heard then I win twice.”
She adds: “Look at how is affecting people, girls are empowered by this, it’s easy to turn it into something negative but I’m just really impressed that my fans get it. This is a story for them, it’s not for the critics.”
Rihanna has been in the public eye since she released her first single back in 2005. The Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress is one of the most influential artists of this era. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t faced some backlash for her work. In 2011, Rihanna released a controversial video for her hit song “Man Down” that sparked criticism from viewers around the world. Now, 10 years later, the star is opening up about what inspired the clip, and why it still resonates with so many people today. Read on to find out all the details behind Rihanna’s stirring “Man Down” video and its surrounding controversy.
The music video for Rihanna’s chart-topping single “Man Down” was an instant success when it debuted in May 2011—but not everyone was thrilled with its content. The four-minute visual featured scenes of death and gun violence which drew heated responses from critics and fans alike who believed these images were too graphic to be broadcasted on national television networks like MTV. Despite being banned by several countries due to its violent themes, there was something special about this particular video that allowed it to transcend boundaries and gain praise from those who saw beyond its edgier elements.
For nearly a decade now, people have tried to uncover what Rihanna meant when she wrote “Man Down”—and just how much thought went into creating such a bold message within her accompanying visuals? This article will delve into those questions as we hear directly from Rihanna herself about the inspiration behind her powerful anthem and infamous video. With newfound insight into both topics, readers can finally get closer than ever before to understanding why “Man Down” remains an iconic statement even after all these years.
Backstory Of Music Video
Rihanna’s “Man Down” video, released in 2011, stirred up a lot of controversy. The music video was inspired by the story of a young woman who had been sexually assaulted and then took revenge on her attacker. The song itself is about taking responsibility for one’s actions, but some felt that the video glamorized violence against men.
The video featured Rihanna shooting an unarmed man in cold blood while walking through a Jamaican street market. She defended the video saying it wasn’t intended to be taken literally and instead showed the consequences of a single event. She also noted that she wanted to bring attention to violent crimes like rape which often go unreported or unnoticed in society.
In spite of this explanation, there were still many people who disagreed with Rihanna’s message and thought it sent the wrong signal about how women should handle situations involving sexual assault – particularly when it comes from someone they know. However, despite all its criticism, “Man Down” was praised for tackling such difficult topics as gender violence and victim blaming head-on.
Public Reception And Criticism
The ‘Man Down’ video sparked a huge debate when it was released, with people from all sides of the issue weighing in. Many praised Rihanna for having the courage to speak out on such an uncomfortable but important topic and commended her message of taking responsibility for one’s actions. Others were less supportive and argued that by showing violence as a solution it could perpetuate the cycle of men being violent towards women instead of teaching them to take control without resorting to physical force.
Despite this divided opinion, there was still a lot of discussion about the video – largely due to its controversial content. It shone light on gender-based violence and opened up conversations among viewers about how best to handle such situations if they ever arose. This also led to more awareness around sexual assault issues which is something that can only be beneficial in helping victims seek justice and preventing further cases from happening in the future.
Rihanna’s decision to make a statement with ‘Man Down’ showed her commitment to addressing gender issues head-on. While some may have disagreed with her approach, she has certainly made sure that these topics are no longer swept under the rug or ignored altogether.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rihanna’s music video for her hit single “Man Down” caused a great deal of controversy. The video tells the story of a young woman who is forced to take drastic measures after being sexually assaulted. Although some found it empowering and thought-provoking, others felt it glamorized violence against men.
Regardless of public opinion, Rihanna stands by her decision to release the video. She believes that its message about sexual assault is an important one and hopes people will use it as a way to start conversations about this difficult issue. As she said in an interview, “I wanted to make sure I was telling my truth…It’s not just my story; it’s every woman’s story.” Her willingness to tell her own story encourages other women around the world to speak up and fight back against gender-based violence.
Rihanna’s “Man Down” video serves as a reminder that we need to have more honest conversations about sexual assault and gender inequality if we want to create lasting change. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when facing criticism or backlash, but hopefully Rihanna’s example can inspire us all to keep fighting for justice and equality everywhere.
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