Don't Look Back into the Sun Evaluation

Don't Look Back into the Sun Evaluation

The Libertines are an alternative/indie rock band with substantial following but also controversy due to the rock and roll lifestyle the band lead. The group themselves consist of four members and went their separate ways in 2004. However the band have since began to write new material and plan to release an album next year (2015).

The music video for this song strikes the viewer with interesting conventions that both adhere and subvert the indie-rock genre for a music promo. Mise-en-scene is one factor that has clearly been taken into consideration with the two frontmen of the group, Peter and Carl, dressed in red naval jackets as the entirety of the band patrol/cause havoc across London. These jackets play a vital role in the band image adding to theme of patriotism with the constant use of the union jack flag appearing in artwork and such forth. The colour red is, in addition, an interesting choice but chosen I believe to make the members stand out amongst the crowd in London and also, again, to build upon this British image. This is obviously represented in one opening shot showing the 4 stood beneath several union jack flags. The other members can be seen wearing classic ‘rockstar’ clothing including a black leather jacket and skinny jeans that adheres to the indie promo conventions. 

As with almost all indie-rock music videos there are two aspects to the film that are performance and narrative based. Performance wise we see consistent crosscuts of the band on stage performing that engage the viewer. This is down to the use of real shots from live performances that match up to the song. Almost all of these shots are in handycam style, including narrative, shown from the point of view of the crowd enabling the audience to feel more involved with the action. Strobe and typical live performance lighting is seen combined with the focus of Peter and Carl on stage helps to build atmosphere furthermore. 

Narrative-wise the director is keen to show the personality of the band filmed in a documentary style video showing the members doing everyday jobs, such as shopping, and having fun. This adds humour to the video as the 4 be themselves playing jokes and generally acting out. I feel that this aspect of the video is key and has been included to help people associate themselves with the group familiarising with how down-to-earth they appear and not phased by the rockstar lifestyle, with the exception of costumes. This is definitely an area that relates to a vast majority of indie promos, including one I previously evaluated; Re-Wired by Kasabian. 

The editing for this promo varies depending on the section of the song it is at something that also adheres to the typical indie conventions. Virtually every transition in the video is a straight cut and at the beginning of the song longer shots are held in place whereas later on, when the music picks up, faster cuts are used to match the beat and emphasise energy. No post-production effects are used throughout the video which I believe is done to reinforce the band’s image of being ‘normal’ people and add to the documentary type feel that is being grasped. 

To sum up in terms of cinematography that has not been previously mentioned, a wide range of shots are used within the handycam style video. Close-ups are rarely used but do appear to show members of the group’s faces or pratting about as they take control of the camera. This is unusual for an indie-rock promo and subverts the typical conventions as we would expect more close-up shots to show instruments and character. Mid-shots seem to be the favourite shot type encompassed whether showcasing live performance or following the band around the London streets and inside various shops. This is something that the viewer should expect and helps to show actions combined with facial expressions and in some cases performance. Finally the use of sound in conjunction with video is entirely non-diegetic using only the track in which the video was created for as the backing.