Music video has been through a process of industrialisation since the popularity of MTV in the 1980s. Some may argue that by applying shots of live performance and refreshing visual styles, such as cool special effects and avant-garde make-up, the focus has shifted to expanding attention and increasing sales, being released from the pressure of accurately presenting the lyrics and narrative. However, nowadays, there are many impressive music videos that step outside of these patterns, making themselves stand out through unique concepts or compelling narratives. January 10th, 2014 (2015) by American Indie rock band The World is a Beautiful Place & I AM No Longer Afraid to Die is one of the examples.

This song was inspired by a Mexican female vigilante who killed two bus drivers in revenge for sexual violence against women in 2013. Additionally, it references Diana, the goddess of hunting and fertility in Roman religion, as the central metaphor, which also comes from the Avenger’s email calling herself “Diana the hunter of bus drivers” in reality. From the angles of tribute and allegory, we can generally categorise it as the features of intertextuality.  

In terms of the music video itself, the sounds and images are synchronised: Firstly, the image at the time of the first verse suggests that a bus driver rapes and kills a girl, while the second verse corresponds to the scene in which Dianas take revenge on the driver. Secondly, the quiet interlude corresponds to slow-motion shots of Diana arriving on a foggy night to take part in the battle. Later, the music video shows everyone holding torches and letting the flames blaze when the rhythm becomes intense. It works well on the idea the song is trying to convey:

‘ We are brave and strong, but you don’t quiver

Let’s write this down together

Our hands on the same weapon

Make evil afraid of evil’s shadow ’

It is worth noting that without any live performance shots or even the band itself, this music video focuses on amplifying the theme of revenge and calling attention to the underlying tragedy behind the case: According to the Associated Press (2013), there were more than 100 women murdered under similar situations in Ciudad Juarez in the 1990s and early 2000s, disappearing after boarding buses. It represents the victims and the entire community of women: Many of them have to fear going out on their own and are at risk of not receiving the attention and protection they deserve when their rights are violated.

In general, this video tends to be a complete short film with post-cinematic styles and social concerns, more than an audiovisual representation based on the music.

Reference:

Cohen, I. (2015) The World is a beautiful place & I am no longer afraid to die: “January 10th, 2014”, Pitchfork. Pitchfork. Available at: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17622-the-world-is-a-beautiful-place-i-am-no-longer-afra-january-10th-2014/ (Accessed: November 20, 2022).

Herrera, Y. (no date) Diana, hunter of bus drivers, This American Life. Available at: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/diana-hunter-of-bus-drivers/ (Accessed: November 20, 2022).

Mexico: Female vigilante may be killing bus drivers (2013) USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network. Available at: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/02/mexico-vengeance-killer/2756235/ (Accessed: November 20, 2022).

The World is a beautiful place & I am no longer afraid to die – January 10th, 2014 (no date) Genius. Available at: https://genius.com/The-world-is-a-beautiful-place-and-i-am-no-longer-afraid-to-die-january-10th-2014-lyrics (Accessed: November 20, 2022).

By Peijia Hu

2022/11/20