Paper planes by MIA analysis

Paper planes- MIA 

Music video analysis 

All the elements within the song interplay with the theme of immigration. The song was intended to criticise widespread negative stereotypes associated with immigrants. Through the lyrics and the video, MIA satirizes the stereotypes constructing immigrants as violent malingerers. In the music video she is trying to show that immigrants work hard therefore making them relatable to the audience. 

This song is partially inspired by MIA's family's immigration history and her frustrations over obtaining a work visa to record in the US due to homeland security's objections. 

MIA used a dark skinned actress in the music video in order to represent the sum of all prejudices. This music video is protesting against all forms of discrimination.   

This music video consists of shots that are mostly medium close ups or close ups in order to focus all the viewers attention on the subject and less focus on the surroundings, therefore expressing the importance of her message. Also to make the viewers more engaged. 

There is a lot of emphasis on the cash machine. 

The lyrics 'I fly like paper, get high like plane/ if you catch me at the border I got visas in my name' this simile is suggesting that immigrants don't cause any disturbance within society, they have a right to be there. These lyrics are therefore bringing attention to the mistreatment of immigrants. 

There is constant use of street slang within the lyrics 'I'm clocking that game' and 'Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless'  by using this informal language it is also emphasising the stereotypes associated with immigrants, this cliché/stereotype is what the entirety of the song is based upon, therefore the effect is huge. 

The lyrics also suggest that people think all immigrants come illegally into countries 'I got visas in my name', take up job positions and leave none for locals 'And take your money' and are pro terrorism 'sticks and stones and weed and bombs'.

The juxtaposition of the gun shots and cash register is interpreted as the connection between capitalism and the military industry. this is a critique of he financial and profiteering from gun culture and global warfare. This suggest that the music video is also protesting against violence especially gun violence.

The mise-en-scene includes:

The use of dark colours on the surroundings making her stand out. When the video flashes to the setting all of these shots are in black and white, apart from when the immigrants are walking on the street. They're in bright colours and the surroundings are brightly lit this therefore is suggesting that immigrants don't make the community worse they can make it better. 

The actors clothing always contains gold to suggest that immigrants are worth more than they are perceived to be.

A recurring colour theme is yellow, red and blue these are the main colours on the colour spectrum. this could be suggesting that immigrants are just as important as everyone else. 

Most of the scenes are in the work place to show that immigrants work hard to get money in order to survive (they don't steal our jobs).