As the Libyan people rise up against their dictator, all over the world artists and video makers are showing support for the rebel’s cause by creating internet memes to relentlessly make fun of the tyrant. Below are a few of the best remix videos so far.
First up Johan Söderberg brings back his famous “Read My Lips” remixing series to create a new lip-syncing duet performed by both Gaddafi and indicted Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi. The song choice “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash works especially well as both rulers are known from their erratic behavior and egomaniacal speeches. On top of that the Italian billionaire-politician initially refused to condemn the Libyan ruler’s brutal actions.
Second on the list is this remix turning one of Gaddafi’s defiant speeches into a pro-revolution dance mix called “Zanga Zanga”. Unfortunately, the original version of the video inexplicably includes clips of dancing girls next to the tyrant (we will file that editing decision in the “unnecessarily sexist” category). Luckily, in true remix form dozens of others have downloaded, modified and then re-uploaded the video with different images superimposed over top to hide the dancers, including this one brilliantly using the dancing baby from Ally McBeal. (Also check out this version with English subtitles to translating the Arabic.)
Finally let’s take a look at another popular and fitting comparison. This remix imagines the unhinged, megalomaniac Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen as Gaddafi’s translator. Because the idea of overdubbing Sheen’s infamous rants on footage of the Libyan dictator is so obviously perfect, there are of course many other remixes out there utilizing the same concept and technique like this one and this one and this one (which might have even been the first). Even Stephen Colbert got into the action with this clip from his March 1st show.
If you happen to come across any other good ones please post them in the comments!