Wednesday 11 May 2011

9/11 Video Tribute

I have chosen a montage type video tribute, created 4 years ago in remembrance of 9/11. It is entitled "The Beginning" and features the song "There She Stands" by Michael W. Smith.



The video is very much saying that despite the terrible acts of terrorism inflicted upon America, she is strong and will stay standing and carry on.

"Just when you think it might be over
Just when you think the fight is gone
Someone will risk his life to raise her
There she stands"

There are numerous images of the rescue workers looking heroic and brave, which act as examples of America being strong. However, this is in contrast to the images of the civilians and their reactions to the events. They look shocked, upset, distraught and in some cases stunned into silence. It reminds us to never forget what that day was like, but because of the song and its lyrics it is also reinforcing the idea that America will not break. She has been hurt but will not be defeated.

The main thing I noticed from the video was the continual use of the American Flag, to show how united the people are and again to say they won't lose hope.

The Statue of Liberty is also used, while Bush says at the beginning "Freedom itself was attacked this morning" and "Freedom will be defended". The fact that light is shining through in the starting image is another reminder that there is still hope and not to give up. The American Eagle features a couple of times as well.

Bush is also heard saying "I have a message for our military...be ready" and "The hour is coming that America will act, and you will make us proud". (3.17) Fighting talk to show the resilience and strength of America but also making it sound as though they don't usually fight, only when they really have to. In this case, to defend freedom.

My favourite image used within this video is one that was used in Time Magazine, the Statue of Liberty standing strong against a background of black smoke filling the skyline. (3.19) This sums up the main point of the tribute, that being that the worst possible things can be done to America and she and everything she stands for, freedom and liberty will still prevail.

It should be noted that there is another video created by the same person that goes with this one, called "The Response". It uses the song "Madam Blue" by Styx and again features the Statue of Liberty and has talk of freedom, with the use of the American Eagle and the flag but this time with images of soldiers and war. The lyrics for the song seem fitting and can be found here: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/styx/suite+madame+blue_20132819.html



It then goes on to have images of workers looking heroic again, and images of ground zero and the smoke filled sky. To me this is trying to justify and remind us why America went to war and that it was okay to do so. This is followed by numerous fast images of the Shock and Awe campaign and other attacks the American armed forces made. This is all played while the song is on the part that repeats "America" over and over again. The video is saying you attack us and we will respond like this. That America is stronger and will not be defeated by a "faceless coward."

The interesting thing is that it has an ending montage of soldiers with the flag in the background which changes a couple of times to the British flag and then goes on the show to fall of Saddam Hussein. With images of soldiers being thanked, freedom being restored and the people of the countries rejoicing and supporting Bush. It says right at the end:

"May we never forget. May we always remember. May we never take freedom for granted. It is not free."

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