Taylor Swift’s music video for the song “Bad Blood”, released in 2015, features a storyline reminiscent to that of an action movie, with Swift training for the duration of the video leading up to a final confrontation with her enemies. Swift packs the video with her female friends and introduces their different “characters” in a manner similar to that of a film’s credits scene. The music video also expands on the action movie theme by littering numerous references to hit films throughout the video. By analyzing the music video using the concept of intertextuality, Swift sends a message of female empowerment, proving that women can be their own heroes.
Intertextuality occurs when a media text includes references to or borrows content from other media texts. According to Haastrup, these references can be either explicit— alluding specifically to another text through quotation such that anybody can understand the reference— or implicit— wherein only those with a familiarity of a genre might be capable of understanding. Whether explicit or implicit, the references to other media texts are included because they serve some purpose to the media product. Specifically, intertextuality works as a storytelling device that advances the plot and assists in character building.
Included in the multitude of references found in the “Bad Blood” music video are films that feature strong female characters such as Kill Bill, The Hunger Games, and Divergent. The inclusion of samurai swords and the scene of Swift fighting in the snow pays homage to the monumental moment in which the Bride fights against O-ren in Kill Bill. The entire training sequence implicitly refers to the scene in which the tributes learn how to fight and survive in the arena in The Hunger Games, with Swift even donning the famous Katniss braid. The training sequence is also reminiscent of the sort of behavior and activities the Dauntless (the brave faction) participated in throughout the Divergent series.
One thing shared between these three films is that they all feature a strong female lead who seeks to gain control of their lives. The Bride, Katniss, and Tris are women have been subjected to the power of a higher authority and they seek to finally break free of this control. Despite the barriers in their way, these women stand firm in what they believe in and fight to reach their own goals. In the case of Katniss and Tris, they even became leaders in their own right, someone to look up to in desperate times.
The deliberate inclusion of these movie references serves as a tool of character building for Swift’s character in the music video, as well as in real life. Swift’s character in the music video follows in the lead of the women in these movies by learning how to stand up for herself. Swift will not allow her enemies to humiliate her and is dead set on making sure they do not prevail. Through her physical and mental growth, Swift mimics the strong willed nature of The Bride, Katniss, and Tris, ultimately refusing to be broken. Similarly, Swift refuses to allow her enemies in real life (i.e. her rivals, critics, and the media) to defeat her. She is capable of rising through the constant hate and contempt thrown her way, effectively becoming her own hero. Swift does not collapse under pressure, but rather becomes stronger because of it.
By including references to films such as Kill Bill, The Hunger Games, and Divergent, Swift aligns herself with the strong female leads in these movies. The intertextuality included in the “Bad Blood” music video assists in character building by showing that Swift is ultimately the one in control of her own life; she refuses to let others tear her down. The music video also serves as extension of Swift herself, mirroring her actions and emotions in real life. Much like the females in these action films, Swift is capable of being her own hero and she plays that role well.
ur marj
ReplyDelete