Illustration Annual
Following on from our highly acclaimed Annual, and Photography Annual we are launching a version
just for Illustration
CR Blog
Ray Tintori's latest for MGMT
Posted by Eliza Williams, 16 June 2009, 13:01 Permalink Comments (54)
Kids by MGMT, directed by Ray Tintori
Ray Tintori, the director behind the psychedelic promo that launched MGMT into the pop limelight, has shot this latest vid for the band's new single Kids. The film offers a frightening insight into how the world might seem through the eyes of a child... before suddenly, halfway through, switching from lo-fi live action to animation. We're not quite sure how coherently all this hangs together, but it all makes for good eye candy, as do the band's super silver outfits.
54 Comments
looks a bit daemonic
2009-06-16 14:45:51
is that joanna newsom?
2009-06-16 14:46:52
Great song, disturbing video. I know they were all makeup and costumes, but did the infant? I'm not convinced that's the way a child sees the world. Infants cry on their own when they're tired or hungry--that child looked terrified. I was impressed with his psychedelic video for 'Time to Pretend' but found this one distasteful. Plus, are they trying to be ironic by wrongly attributing that quotation to Mark Twain instead of Nietzsche?
2009-06-16 15:17:13
Might just be me, but i'm finding it hard to enjoy a video of someone scaring the shit out of a 5 year old.
2009-06-16 15:29:01
Ed, it's not just you. The more I think about this video, the more I think the filmmaker has some issues. The video is repulsive. I don't mean its lo-fi, mumblecore aesthetic. That's a dime-a-dozen these days. I mean the whole cruelty-to-children-for-the-sake-of-art (and commerce) angle.
2009-06-16 16:09:48
Yes, it is Joanna Newsom. And I've got to agree, the child really did look petrified, I actually found it quite uncomfortable to watch that.
2009-06-16 16:10:00
I won't even finish it, it bothers me. Aside from the filmmaker who has the issues, the parent(s) of that kid really made an immature choice to allow their son to be affected that way. By the way... I laughed at the 5 year-old comment. That kid is closer to 2.
2009-06-16 17:10:54
you don't have children do you - I bet he had a riot
2009-06-16 17:27:50
Come guys,
There's nothing wrong about a kid crying a little... maybe when he grow up, he need therapy ... but who cares for that now...
:)
2009-06-16 17:31:26
the absolute lack of compassion or maternal love that the actress mother showed her screaming child was quite funny. i agree, this totally freaked me out, and is really wrong on several levels.i loved that song until i saw the video.
however, it is quite a good idea, but i think it needs a bit of work to make the whole thing more cohesive. like sorting out the narrative for starters, it seemed to have no purpose whatsoever, if only to show shots of hideous zombie-type creatures scaring the bejesus out of the child being carried from place to place without intention or goal.
i cant get the image of the screaming child out of my head. its a no from me.
2009-06-16 19:31:24
brilliant song - brilliant video. that kid will be fine, people should relax a bit and not get so caught up in this cotton wool baloney.
2009-06-16 23:41:48
I agree that this is just uncomfortable to watch. I am sure child actors can look terrified on demand, but part of me thinks that maybe his parents had second thoughts about his particapation in it and so the producers had to revert to animation to complete it?
2009-06-17 02:41:19
I would submit that really scaring the child was the whole point.
Isn't saying something quite intelligent about the earnestness of kids? Even when everything around them is fake?
http://notvoodoo.blogspot.com/2009/06/scaring-kids-for-art.html
2009-06-17 10:47:16
a cameo from a foil clad MGMT for their own video? it reminded me of Labyrinth when he's in the cot. i've seen better... disturbing and disappointing. bring back their feathers
2009-06-17 13:19:34
Yeah, OBVIOUSLY scaring the child was the whole point (if you call that a point). But how is that meaningful? What message is being expressed? That the world is full of scary monsters and the ones closest to us are ambivalent to protect or comfort us? Is this a statement on the natural struggle of life? Because it didn't make me feel all zen after watching it. And even if that's the intention, how does that fit with MGMT's mumblecore meets glam rock persona? One could argue this is art-house cinema meets pop music, but it will still be judged by each viewer on their own terms. I say this fish is four days old and I ain't buying it.
For me, there's a severe gulf between the depth and majesty of the song, and the shallow and exploitative stance of the video, and that's what I'm reacting against. I went to art school; I know anyone can argue any point, no matter how ridiculous if they so desire. I still think it's a bullsh*t video.
BTW, I have a three year old son who likes to be scared and startled. He gets a kick out of it and laughs and laughs. He doesn't run and cry in terror. YMMV.
2009-06-17 13:28:45
Several shades of wrong...great song. Weakly conceived, disturbing, and exploitative video.
...and I have to agree with Jeffery, there's a difference in 'Boos' and 'Laughs' with kids and outright terror and that video is the latter.
2009-06-17 14:00:21
Several shades of wrong...great song. Weakly conceived, disturbing, and exploitative video.
...and I have to agree with Jeffery, there's a difference in 'Boos' and 'Laughs' with kids and outright terror and that video is the latter.
2009-06-17 14:05:35
Ok.
I think it's a song about that time in one's late teens or twenties when everything is vividly meant and felt.
Even in a society like ours, in which 'kids' are mired in fakery and marketing, they still manage to feel this way. It's something we perhaps lose the capacity to do as we become fully adult.
The child amongst the deliberately fake horror monsters is a version of this.
There's something arch and intelligent going on with the discomfort that the video induces. It's asking us what is wrong with a child being scared that means we don't want to see it? Is it the realness of the child's feeling that makes us uncomfortable?
A couple of commentators seem to suggest that it would be ok if the child were 'just acting'. Isn't it great that he's not?
We look at the monsters and think 'meh fake', that boy looks at them a thinks 'holy shit it's a monster'. Isn't that a pretty cool practical demonstration of the viewer's jadedness?
And like I said, I always though the song was about the time before we were jaded.
This is art-house cinema meets pop-music. You're spot on there.
2009-06-17 14:14:44
@ Gordon Comstock
"It's asking us what is wrong with a child being scared that means we don't want to see it? Is it the realness of the child's feeling that makes us uncomfortable?"
No, it's because the poor blighter is petrified and that is Not A Nice Thing To Watch.
As for the comment about jadedness, fair enough. But adults are jaded about sock puppets, magic tricks and the special effects from The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe TV series. There are other ways that point could have been made without such deliberate shock tactics. I'm sure the kid was fine after all, but Tintori's desire to worry us (adults/parents/people that care about kids) is lamentable.
2009-06-17 14:34:40
Never mind the kid. Have the Boosh thought of suing?
2009-06-17 14:37:48
Never mind the kid. Have the Boosh thought of suing?
2009-06-17 14:53:33
'No it's because the poor blighter is petrified and that is Not A Nice Thing To Watch'
Sounds very much like you don't like to watch a child being genuinely petrified, but you wouldn't mind watching him acting petrified.
Which makes it sound rather like it's the realness of the feeling that's making you uncomfortable.
2009-06-17 17:25:38
Genuine or illusory, watching a child be made to feel terrified is neither entertaining nor meaningful for me. It isn't that I don't want to see it, rather I don't want it to even happen. I'll take empathy (which Gordon claims we adults lack) over shock cinema (which I would argue is where the numbness lies), if that's even what this is and not aimless, amateur fumbling at being provocative. Check out the comments on YouTube to gauge its reception by the masses; the reactions are largely against.
2009-06-17 20:27:44
If you're willing to base your tastes and opinions on a majority YouTube commentary I suspect you may find yourself believing some very weird things indeed.
2009-06-18 09:38:52
Gordon's thinking
the rest of you are just reacting
also a large helping of - "I didn't do it, so it's no good"
that you don't "like" the video doesn't mean it's unsuccessful or worthless or wrong.
I thought designers were supposed to try and get over their personal prejudices and judge/analyse work with at least the veneer of an open mind.
I wonder how many of these video critics regularly sit in front of CNN watching scenes of "real" terror and brutality against children and don't blink an eye.
Try asking yourself what your gut and/or professional reaction to this video says about you - rather than just the person who made it.
For me this video gets more right than it gets wrong.
2009-06-18 11:18:30
--"If you're willing to base your tastes and opinions on a majority YouTube commentary I suspect you may find yourself believing some very weird things indeed."--
Like the view it's ok to to traumatise a small child as long as you can have a rose perfumed brain fart about it afterwards in the name of art?
Empathy, Gordon is what that dire attempt at 'shock art' should provoke, probably most unintended by the artist, it's called being human to feel uncomfortable at seeing the distress of others, especially a child and if you need shockingly bad attempts at art to remind you of this that fact then maybe you're more jaded than you give yourself credit for.
2009-06-18 11:45:16
This child is not traumatised. Your use of that word is an insult to any one who has suffered trauma.
'Kids" can experience very strong emotion and then recover from it and feel loved and happy again. That's another thing we lose in adulthood.
What is wrong with seeing a child experience a strong feeling? Why do we assume that feelings are damaging? These are the very pertinent questions.
Isn't our culture, the culture which we're responsible for as creators of media, the thing that's really corrosive to real feeling?
I think I've said everything I wanted to say about this.
Incidentally, are you Australian?
2009-06-18 12:07:02
Paul
'empathy' is the ability to look at a situation from another persons perspective.
It's what the video is about I think.
Given that we don't know whether the child was -
(a) seriously traumatised and currently in therapy
(b) a bit upset but getting over it
(c) acting
it's pointless to discuss
also I'm not a child psychologist and I'm suspecting you aren't either
so what are we talking about?
are we saying that you are right and that this "rose perfumed brain fart" should be struck down and never see the light of day. We mustn't let people see it in case their feeble un-educated minds can't cope and we start a trend of men in monster suits chasing small children.
or is it possible that it's kind of an interesting video - probably won't appeal to everyone - unlikely anyone was seriously harmed in the making of it. Should be allowed to exist for those that want to see it.
"empathy" - more honored in the breach than the observance.
2009-06-18 12:32:35
At no point have I mentioned that this video should be struck down or banned? I was merely stating personal opinion that it made for an uncomfortable watch, the cheap techniques used to exact audience reaction and how some critics are prepared to overlook cheap techniques as long as it provides a pay-out intellectually for them.
That's about all I have to add.
2009-06-18 13:44:52
But are you an Australian?
2009-06-18 14:29:43
But are you an Australian?
2009-06-18 16:05:54
But are you an Australian?
2009-06-18 16:52:45
I only submitted that comment once. It's the CR approval process that's causing the repetition.
I'm nearly, but not that childish.
2009-06-18 17:43:52
@Gordon Comstock
Sorry about that. We'll sort it out (the comments problem I mean)
Mark Sinclair
2009-06-18 18:07:32
if you slate something the inference is that it's not worthy.
so what is the point of critique if it has no effect?
what were you hoping to achieve?
2009-06-18 20:19:43
ps. while I get stuck into Psul - doesn't mean I hold any personal disregard.
Paul absolutely has his right to an opinion.
That it's not my opinion is not the point.
Anyone with a heartfelt opinion should be respected.
The problem with social media is that we rarely get to meet those we are talking with.
It's too easy to write each other off as bigots and twats.
Dangerous as it is to write after a few glasses of wine I would say let's be nice
it's nice to be nice
that someone would seek to champion the rights of kids not to be scared is good.
Paul and I are more in agreement than we are in difference
I just think kids are less fragile than Paul implies
I might be worng
again
2009-06-18 20:40:18
Er ... all this "it's real, but it'd be Okay if it were acting" is rather missing the point, isn't it?
A child (who has no choice in the matter, one of his parents has made that for him) has been scared witless to make a pop video. That doesn't really feel quite right to me somehow.
But then maybe I'm old fashioned or going with the YouTube majority.
2009-06-18 23:10:08
it should be made illegal to begin a post with:
"Er ..."
also:
"Dur ..."
and
"Hello ..."
2009-06-19 08:41:39
Errr... i'm confused on many levels... isn't the song over a year old for a starter? if you look at the way things are cut, it kinda looks like the monsters and the kid are not in the same place at the same time, the opening cot scene is a good example, so maybe the kid wasnt "harmed" in the making of it at all? or have i missed something?
2009-06-19 11:28:37
Fingers crossed the child and the monsters were filmed separately.
Don't think any body would be that sick to put someone that young through that ordeal, parents or director. It's a good song but that video is just simply s**te.
Very weak, the only strength in it is in the controversy of apparently scarring a 3/4 year old child - very mature!
2009-06-19 14:52:22
There's a time in life when you're in your mid-twenties (like the band here and I suspect their audience) when you feel you have some privileged relationship to innocence and experience but really it is just bullshit and vanity and more often than not an expression of being unable to admit you're still tied to your mother's apron strings.
@chris. yeah i think they tried to separate the kid out as much as they could but I've looked pretty closely and i don't think this was a bluescreen shoot. there are moments when the child is definitely reacting. but even if it was all staged - and at which point it becomes easier to motivate an argument in its favour, i'm not sure i like its sentiment any better.
(flashbacks to seeing a rock show on bbc2? aged 4 where someone supposedly slid down a razorblade - fake blood everywhere, show cut short - one of my earliest memories - haunted me for years!)
2009-06-19 15:19:05
This is sick and disturbing. I couldn't finish watching it.... Hate it hate it and can't believe anyone would put their child through that, or any child infact. Really disturbed me.
2009-06-19 16:00:12
This makes me feel so angry, that poor child. There is no way a child of that age could be"acting". I cant imagine why any parent would be willing to let their offspring be scared shitless like this. I really hope it gets pulled as it's a total and utter insult & why anyone would commission this is beyond belief!
2009-06-19 16:00:34
The world is divided into those who can empathise and those who can't. If you don't worry about the effect that that would have had on that little kid, you are one of those people in the Milgram experiment who keep on pressing the pain button ... you're dead inside except for a wizened solipsistic heart. You'll die wracked with anguish about how the world's not been fair to you (and you'll die all alone, i might add!). Sukka!
2009-06-19 16:04:17
I don't understand why so few comments have anything to do with the video itself, in terms of the 'point' or 'story'. it works because it unveils such deeply felt emotions, bordering on maternal/protective/angry when faced with abuse? its a song about childhood, and potentially it casts a very negative light on it - doesn't that mean the video is pretty succesful?
i think people are freaked out by it because none of us thought of it as a lyrically 'serious' song.
2009-06-19 16:27:38
Thanks God the parents were more open minded then most of you. How many times, how many kids a day freak out? So what's the big deal to do it only once and have video to watch.
2009-06-19 18:51:53
To think Kids used to be my favorite MGMT song... shame on you! The very idea that you would even consider traumatizing that child for life (yes, a two year old will carry some serious issues with this for a very long time) for the sake of a freaking video really makes me see you guys in a totally different light. Despicable that a parent would even allow their kid to go thru this for the almighty dollar, but incredible that MGMT would approve the idea in the first place.
You lost my vote guys.
2009-06-19 19:34:38
Downright evil... people are getting locked up for abuse like that and so should everyone involved in this piece of utter crap. I have three of my own children and the fear on that poor boy's face was genuine... how can this sort of vile trash make it mainstream? It's the kind of thing you'd expect from some perverted pedo site. Wrong, wrong wrong. Pity Creative Review gave it more airtime than it already has had. Shame.
2009-06-19 23:10:11
Thanks God the parents were more open minded then most of you. How many times, how many kids a day freak out? So what's the big deal to do it only once and have video to watch.
2009-06-20 02:10:30
I'm not convinced the kid was that scared, my friends kid was a little younger playing the lead baby in The Hills Have Eyes remake and she was certainly not scared of Zombies - even to the point of sucking on a Colt 45 which the directors felt was too extreme and wouldn't show. Though there is an awareness formed in those early years that could have kicked in I guess.
Not an enjoyable video overall I'd say all the same.
2009-06-23 12:33:12
Just when you think you've seen the dumbest of the dumb ... you find retards defending this trash video!
You idiots wouldn't know sensationalist trash if it bit your sexual organs off!
I'd really love to have the idiots who defended this video LET THEIR KIDS BE TRAUMATIZED BY BLOODY CORPSES AT THE TENDER AGE OF 2 OR 3 AND THEN TELL US THEY DON'T CARE ROOFL. CAN YOU BELIEVE THESE UNEVOLVED MORONS???
Which moron said these monsters WERE FAKE LOOKING? LMAO how stupid can you get!? Those monsters WERE VERY REALISTIC AND DEMENTED AND BLOODY AND HORRIFYING LMAO. You DO NOT TORTURE A 2 OR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD FOR "ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES"! DO YOU MORONS HAVE ANY MORALS?
What idiot said, "Oh thats not REAL TORTURE, I know REAL torture" ... LIKE THATS SUPPOSED TO MAKE IT OK??? WHAT A COMPLETE AND UTTER MORON!!
You idiots defending this video that was purely done for sensationalist "shock value" just to gain attention and $$$ profit ARE THE LOWEST FORM OF MANKIND WITH THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY OF A DUNG BEETLE.
Now, I did have someone suggest that maybe the monsters were "added in later" and the kid was maybe just crying over something less traumatizing ... but until I find out if thats true (which I highly doubt!), I am here to tell the completely idiotic morons defending this trash that WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND (karma) and the sick pedo cultist elite running these huge big corporations that are out of control will be found and punished for their depravity!
People, get a grip! Humanity MUST HAVE STANDARDS. Remember that its the good that win in the end ... and these people will discover that justice is both more ironic and more hell-bent than anything these sick bastards can dish out ;)
2009-06-26 18:53:31
I was absolutely disgusted when I watched this video. Those responsible have a lot to answer for. As a father of a young toddler very similar in age and looks to this young boy, well shit, my heart completely went out to him. I will never ever watch this video again. I now hate MGMT, I hate the director, I will never watch or listen to your SHIT again... Bastards...
Can you not see he was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED??
This is ABUSE!
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!
2009-07-17 15:37:33
C'mon guys, relax, nobody was harmed, read this interview with the director and give it a break:
http://weloveyouso.com/2009/07/exclusive-interview-with-ray-tintori/
2009-07-24 01:21:37
The video is done so if any harm has been done to the child then it's irreversible. If scenes were edited then maybe no harm has been done, but let's not miss the point! The public watch that video with all the emotions and disgust that it raises up within them. A truly decent human being cannot watch that without feeling great sadness for the child no matter how much we are told about the way it was craftily filmed. If this video was meant to make us humans feel so upset and angry then it has worked. I watched it by accident. My teenage son was sitting with friends watching the music videos when they asked me, decidedly shocked, if it was allowed.
Well I was close to tears at what I saw and I hope complaints get it banned.
2009-08-03 00:47:22
Get the RSS Feed
Most recently commented
| Dog Days Are Over (9) |
| Decision time for the RCA (31) |
| The new look BJP (15) |
| YouTube and creative suicide (8) |
| PhotoSketch (18) |
Most read
| Penguin Classics team up with (RED) for typographic covers |
| Tom Gauld on Diet Coke |
| iGlass mate? That'll be extra |
| Go Faster: The Graphic Design of Racing Cars |
| New Gorillaz video |
Subjects
| Advertising | (642) | |
| Art | (185) | |
| Books | (137) | |
| Digital | (200) | |
| Graphic Design | (527) | |
| Illustration | (247) | |
| Magazine / Newspaper | (92) | |
| Music Video / Film | (496) | |
| Photography | (184) | |
| Type / Typography | (130) |
