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Cults' "Go Outside" music video incorporates Jonestown footage
The just-released video for the song "Go Outside" by the band Cults features group members Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion edited into historical footage of the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known as Jonestown.
I'm going to assume almost everyone reading this will know what that is, but for the benefit of those who don't: Jonestown was the intentional community carved out of the jungle in Guyana by Jim Jones, leader of a communist doomsday cult he called the Peoples Temple. On November 18, 1978, more than 900 people died there in what was either a massacre or a mass suicide depending on who you ask.
The Cults video ends on the morning of that fateful day, showing the departure of a few dissenters who got out before the deaths began.
So, no bodies are shown, but the video, directed by Isaiah Seret, creates a profoundly creepy sense of foreboding. My question to you, the reader/viewer is whether this is a valid artistic use of the imagery of Jonestown or an exploitation of the tragedy?
For extra creepitude, watch for the Kool-Aid (and Flavor Aid) at the 2:36 mark.
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Jul 15, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Valid .. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." alot of kids out there would never know the tradgedy if it wasnt shown here...
Jul 15, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I have the same concerns. On the one hand, I think it is a more memorable music video than any other I have seen in many, many years. On the other hand, if they are using video of the kids who were murdered by their parents and community members, that seems wrong. I don't have qualms about video footage of the adults but the man being the children's choir director was extra creepy when you think about the kids who died unnecessarily because of the nuttiness of the adults in that community.
Jul 16, 2011 at 11:23 am
This is an example of valid artistic use. It is unlikely that someone in my generation, born in the 90's, would have any idea what this event is. Until watching this video, I completely forgot about Jonestown. It is highly unlikely that anyone would join a community like this after having the knowledge of Jonestown. With this music video, The Cults have made the viewer aware of the situation and as James quoted, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This is one situation we will not repeat.
Jul 16, 2011 at 6:24 pm
It's just ridiculous that people are now saying something about Cults and their use of...well cults, especially Jonestown! In this song, which came out over a year ago, it features a monologue by Jim Jones. But I guess that doesn't mean anything, not until they actually show footage of Jonestown. I don't think it's exploitative, and I think this video perfectly captures Cults sound, image, and whole idea and does it in a very memorable way.
Jul 17, 2011 at 10:49 am
This is valid, not exploitative. I remember the intense news coverage of this at the time. Gruesome photo after photo. The sideways camera footage of the airstrip ambush. No analysis, no explanation for the carnage. That was exploitative. This is artwork that is trying to answer the questions, without shocking images. The use of technical effects to place the band "inside" makes it clear the victims are not being blamed, but shown compassionate memory.
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