what i'm seeing in a lot of these commentaries is a lack of a solid analysis in how popular culture upholds the very systems people are debating about regarding this film. <br /> <br />people are allowing their views on rhianna, either through her as a person or how one feels about her music to cloud their statements on the film itself. if someone makes a valid statement about the sexualization of violence, it is defined as a hatred for rhianna; those who have a sincere enjoyment of the short film (because it validates a sense of power over 'whiteness'), are deemed as supporting 'violence against women'. <br /> <br />while it is true that many white feminists view things through a lens of their own privilege; to generalize everyone who identifies as a feminist as doing the same thing would be false. interestingly, the person who recommended i see this was a white feminist; they were actually a huge fan of the short film. with that, i think far too many people conflate capitalist notions of 'feminism' with the work people are actively doing to challenge patriarchal/hierchical systems. <br /> <br />it is absolutely true that the violence in the film is highly sexualized- not only was there some titilation involved; but it was an example (out of many produced by hollywood) to utilize it as an appealing means to an end... and end which focuses on the individual (and still pleases the master, since the system is still in place). rhianna and crew were not defending themselves (and their people) strategically to assure that the masses no longer get scammed by lawyers (for instance). the only outcome from the violence was personal satisfaction. i contrast this film with, say, public enemy's 'by the time i get to arizona' (or to a lesser degree, 'can't truss it'). <br /> <br />rhianna just wanted the money back that was owed to her; but what happens at the end? it's just spread all over her, as she's covered in blood, smoking a cigar or cigarette. that 'money' she's coveting and how it's spread out after her 'conquest' is to me, representative of the lack of value u.s. currency actually has, globally. it's also representative of the u.s. legacy of murdering people around the world and stealing resources, in order to maintain the myth that this is 'the richest nation in the world.' in order to 'get money' under capitalism, it has to be attained violently. <br /> <br />watching this film also made me think of 'soul on ice'- to make an example of the white men who have harmed us and benefit from 'white supremacy', eldridge cleaver used white women as 'collateral' and raped them. to also find out that rhianna 'kidnapped' some of her fans who were subscribed to tidal (that's a whole other discussion on class) for the video shoot conjures up disturbing images as well. <br /> <br />in no way am i saying people should not like the song or film. i do find it disturbing though, that the support for artists like rhianna, beyonce, etc., tend to replace any sort of analysis on their perpetuation of these systems.
