Deaf Havana – The World Or Nothing

Analysis.

This video is almost completely live performance with no substantial linear storyline. Shots are rarely if ever still and lights, instruments and smoke are elements acting throughout the video.


Coinsiding with Goodwin's theory, the genre of the music video matches the mise en scene and the lead singers tattoos. They connote a rock style of rebelliousness and individuality. Also linking to goodwins theory are the close up shots of the lead vocalist/guitarist emphasising, in this case the bands live performance and identifying the faces that are the band.

The locations of the video change between recording studio shots, shots of the group together in a reminiscent manner and live performance/live crowds plus one or two shots of a member of the band on a train. The live performance shots are in colour and others are in black and white. I believe that this represents clearly past and present. The shot on the train representing progression in the sense of moving connoting moving on to new things. This has been very much the image of the band since one of their members left. Since then they have been exploiting this and making songs with the connotations of moving on etc. previously.

Where the song slows down, the video goes into slow motion as well. This adds a timeless sense which fits with the song as it looks back on what we percive to be the past.

The narrative structure of the video is linear being mostly performance with what appears to be brief flashbacks showing the band members. These flashbacks we assume are flashbacks because they are in black and white. Flashbacks include members playing their songs - recording them. ....

 The lighting of the video is very atmospheric using many colours representing the band as lively, diverse and exciting the smoke and panning shots of the crowd create a warming sense of relationship between the band and its fans. The video makes this link even stronger by cutting between shots of the band and its audience. A slightly closer shot of some members of the audience relates them to the band as a similarly close shot of the arm of the lead vocalist (and guitarist) is shortly followed. This to me creates a relationship. Black and white shots of the band in friendly situations enhance this more as the members casually wave at the camera. This informallity also creates a social appeal creating a sense of endearment. The lyrics of the track state a situation and the lyrics are descriptive and very personal, saying where he sleeps for example. This connects the audience further. This makes the audience feel privileged to be part of the style of the band, to buy their songs, watch their videos and go to their gigs. This creates a social security of the viewer and an opportunity for them to embrace this identity.