We at PRV like to think of “political remix” in the widest possible terms to encompass social, economic and cultural issues along side more traditional big “P” political issues like government and war. So what could be more culturally subversive in our current American socio-political climate than a beloved Muppet singing and dancing to a Lollywood song? (Lollywood is Pakistan’s answer to Bollywood.) The western mass media launches into almost daily triads against Pakistan and continuously demonizes the peoples, religious and cultures of that country. Through clever re-editing, Grover now gives us a glimpse into Pakistan’s diverse cultural ecosystem, presenting a message of tolerance and understanding which is strikingly similar to the lessons and values taught on Sesame Street in the United States.
The song is “The Sound of Wonder” (Dama Dam Mast Qalandar) sung by Ashraf, M. featuring Ahmed Rushdi. Here is the original song from the movie “Dekha Jaye Ga” circa 1970s Lollywood.
Remix artist Diran Lyons, who’s work we have featured on this site before, has just completed an ambitious remix project critical of President Obama’s foreign policy entitled “Jake Gyllenhaal Challenges the Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize”.
The piece is a remixed narrative that combines two Jake Gyllenhall films (Donnie Darko & Jarhead)with news footage of President Barack Obama. As the President wins the Nobel Peace Prize, Gyllenhaal’s character becomes disillusioned with Obama’s increasingly pro-war rhetoric, escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the failure to withdraw troops from Iraq.
After Diran uploaded this video to YouTube is was instantly removed with the following message:
We think this is a particularly hilarious use of the word “decided” considering YouTube runs a fully automated content ID matching system which does automatic takedowns seconds after a video is uploaded AND the remix is a fair use of any NBC content making it totally legal.
Diran went through YouTube’s online “dispute” process and after a few hours got his video back online. However NBC Universal may still decide to have it removed again via a DMCA takedown notice. We hope this remix stays put, as it is clearly a fair use of any NBC material, but as we all know, just because a video is a fair use does not mean it will stay on the internet. Take a look at Takedown Hall of Shame.
If something similar has happened to your remix video the Electronic Frontiers Foundation (EFF) has put together a fantastic Guide to YouTube Removals which will tell you everything you need to know about getting your video back online.
This remix by Diran Lyons juxtaposes the aggressive rhetoric of the Bush Administration from news footage with significant peaceful statements offered by Christ as portrayed in Franco Zeffirelli’s “Jesus of Nazareth” [1977]. Its a one of the longer remixes clocking in at around 9 or 10 minutes.
Jen Simmons and Sarah Christman’s Bush for Peace offers a wistful look at what a presidential speech might look like if America actually become a kinder gentler nation.
