The Riptide music video has a very diverse representation of gender, that could also be considered controversial. As the video falls into the indie genre, it's expected that things would be done unconventionally than in the mainstream pop music videos. The fact that this was the first single Vance Joy was trying to get released in America explains the shocking representations of women as they needed publicity. Indie stands for independent, although Riptide is relatively unusual within the indie folk genre due to the rejection of a linear narrative and the lack of special effects. The 2015 Georgia music video by Vance Joy follows more conventions than Riptide, but as it was the first single they were trying to market in America it's understandable why the lyrics and video of Riptide are done in such an unusual manner. This way Vance Joy has a sense of uniqueness which is a common convention of the indie genre.In terms of narrative and iconography, the video is is quite literal and reflects the lyrics of the song. If the lyrics and video were separated, it would just be a compilation of random shots, but the fact that the music video and lyrics are linked creates synergy, meaning that themes and motives are created to convey a deeper meaning. The motives could possibly be entanglement and dread, as we can see in the many horror/ thriller like shots that that slightly resemble nightmares, for example being pullet out of bed and under the bed.. For example, in the line "I was scared of dentists and the dark", the shot is of a woman has a metallic contraption in her mouth and a horrified expression; this over exaggerated interpretation of a very common fear in society could possibly used so the audience feels that fear as well. The shot has a sadist tone and further contributes in the representation of violence against women in this music video. "Oh, all my friends are turning green." is again another literal translation from the lyrics as the there is a shot of cash; green is stereotypically associated with jealousy and envy. The singer could be referring to his friends being envious of his success and career or the blonde woman that's shown throughout the video. In the shot before the dollar bills we can see his friends talking in a distressed manner and that could imply that his friends have become materialistic and money-driven. This video could reflect the work of Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dali in Un Chiel Andalou (An Andalusian Dog), as the surrealistic film explores violence and sexual desire the same way as the 1929 film. In that film, the aesthetics of surrealism are combined to some of Freud's discoveries. In Riptide, there's no clear narrative, and it uses dream logic, yet again reflecting Un Chien Andalou as they used the Freudian free association idea for their narrative. The producers have not only used that film foe their narrative but also as a distant reference for one of their shots. The hand stabbing shot in Riptide could be compared to the infamous eye-cutting scene in Un Chien Andalou. In terms of representation of gender, women have very definitely been represented in a very diverse way. For example the line "You're the magician's assistant in her dreams" in a way objectifies the woman; the assistants are normally there to distract the audience from what the magician is doing, implying that she is there to be looked at. Another way the video has objectifies women is the shot where she takes her straps off, however she is not facing the audience, therefore anticipation is created in the audience, especially men, whether or not she will turn around. There are many shots of women's feet throughout the video, and shots of the woman running where her face is not shown. By not showing her face, this dehumanises her and according to Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze Theory, she becomes the object of the male gaze through all the ways she has been sexualised. The shot of the woman on the balcony is shot from a lower angle that appears where she does not see; this voyeuristic approach is also used when she is taking her straps off. Although, we do have some shots of female empowerment. For example, at the beginning of the video, when she is tied to a tree she manages to free herself; the shot that accompanies he line "you're the magician's assistant in her dreams" is shot from a lower angle that puts the female character in a superior position, and she also has confident body language. The balcony scene could also connote superiority as she is physically higher than our point of view and seems to be wealthy. There are a few references towards the looks of the character, comparing her to Michelle Pfeiffer and saying that she can be a star like her too. However, the main image that's being portrayed is that they are the victims. Many shots in Riptide victimise women, for example her being tied to a tree, being dragged out from her bed, etc. All of these scenarios fit into the conventions of thriller/horror films, as the female character tends to be one of the first victims. The video uses high camera angles, terrified facial expressions, low key lighting in order to add to the representation of women being fearful. The shots are not supposed to be enjoyable for the audience, they are there to make the audience feel uncomfortable and see the victimisation of women as undesirable. Finally, the shots of the woman singing are left on screen for the longest. Throughout the video we keep going back to the shots of her singing and each time her makeup gets worse, starts sliding off her face, her facial expression gets more horrified and she looses her initial confidence. These shots shock the audience and create enigma about what is happening to her and also emphasises the violence against women. To make us feel scared for her, the female character continues to watch sideways, as if she is in danger; she also has bruises and blood on her neck, implying that she definitely has been attacked, not just crying. The mise en scene and her facial expression encourage the audience to sympathise with her and worry for her. In later shots, when a hand grabs her neck she starts to sing the words wrong and therefore the subtitles appear on the screen. That could have two interpretation, maybe that she is lip-syncing badly because she is panicked and emotional or that this is a cry for help by mistaking the words and acting differently from the beginning.
Postmodernism techniques have definitely been used in the video. For example, there are clear links o Wes Anderson in terms of cinematography and mise en scene; for example, in Riptide we see a Romanian passport in a suitcase, that could be a reference to Anderson's Grand Hotel Budapest, also the shot from above is a technique of Anderson's as well. The distressed singer that is has experienced a form of assault, could be a reference to David Lynch's Blue Velvet, as the storyline is about a singer that's being abused. Vance Joy could be trying to raise awareness around gender based violence, although with such an upbeat song the message could come off as using violence for aesthetic purposes and make it seem entertaining.
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