In this essay I will be exploring the way the Foo fighters use symbolism and narrative structure, to represent feelings, within their video The Pretender.
The video begins with lights switching on in sequence as they do is most large halls and warehouses. The opening shot of a high wide angled long shot shows David Grohl (the lead singer) walking into shot towards the band’s instruments and picking up his guitar. The combination of a bird’s eye view and a minimalistic setting causes Grohl to be a figure of solidarity, which later links into one of the songs same messages ‘don’t link us all together, we are not the same’. The shots focal points are the large block of scarlet red backing against the ferociously clean white floor, and the straight black line which stretches the length of the hall. These colours are used for effect due to the visual discomfort they create.
The shot then switches to a wide angle view of Grohl’s back and then to a close up of him wrapping a bandage around his arm as though he is preparing for a fight. These shots cause Grohl to be a figure of ambiguity throughout the introduction of the song, as his face is not shown.
The size of the hall should represent freedom as it is a large open space, but the menacing darkness which engulfs the patch of light signifies confinement and connotes claustrophobia and suggests that someone or something has surrounded the area. This idea is accented by the opening lyrics ‘Keep you in the dark, you know they all pretend’. The aggressive scarlet block acts in contrast to the dazzlingly pure white floor and is a representation of confined aggression. The band members enter from behind the block: they are all dressed in black symbolising evil, apart from Grohl who is wearing white, implying he is their saviour and that their heart is pure.
For the duration of the first three verses only performance shots are used in order to introduce the band to the audience and showcase their talent. It also lets the audience form a connection with the band and its members. Throughout the song a succession of close ups, panning shots, tracking shots and zooms are used match the rapid rhythm of the song. The continuous close ups and zooms bring the audience towards the band and make them the watchers focal point.
As Grohl begins the first chorus a fifth character is introduced, the character is dressed in a policeman’s battle uniform; as the band is singing about the repression of freewill and character by the authorities, shrouded in black. He is pictured from behind during his approach; which like with the introduction of Grohl creates an enigmatic character, until he stops when the camera focuses on a close up of his face in which he readjusts his visor which suggests that he is also preparing for a fight. Despite being a representative of good this use of binary opposites suggests a deception behind the ‘good vs bad’ facade. The policeman walks up to the long black line and immediately the audience becomes aware that the line shows a point you do not cross, a boundary. The band continues to play singing directly to the guard their oblivious response is used to taunt the guard and he brings out his weapon once again referencing a fight and violence.
The performance continues switching between shots of the band and the policemen until a long line of guards enter from the darkness and proceed forward to the line.
The sheer number of the force suggests how the authorities always proceed with a greater advantage an unnecessary one. The fact that all of the policemen look the same references the lyric ‘So who are you? Yeah, who are you?’ and ‘What if I say I'm not like the others?’ by painting the band as individuals but showing the authority as being clones. It also suggests the band is trying to say in spite of their face value they are innocent and different from other ‘criminals’. The over dramatised suits the guards are wearing seem completely unnecessary against their four instrument wheeling opponents.
The line ‘What if I say I will never surrender?’ is an invitation for the force to take action Grohl is undermining the authorities power saying what if I don’t want to conform then what are you going to do? The answer of course is exert violence and force. As the tension reaches a climax the music softens. The camera pans along the guard who overstep their line in order to enforce their rules as. The quiet music works in contrast to the oncoming violence showing ‘the eye of the storm’ which draws the audience into the scene.
Then the crescendo hits the music returns to its mutinous volume and as the sound cracks in the scarlet wall breaks letting the anger, aggression and violence combat the guards (every time I see this effect I am completely absorbed by the brilliance of it). The band continue to play within the liquid as the policeman fall down from the force showing that they can be defeated and they are not indestructible.
Finally when all of the guards lay defeated on the floor Grohl collapses onto his knees and the onslaught of liquid comes to an end which suggests that they are either adverse to violence and find no happiness from it or that the battle against the authorities is exhausting, which shows that to gain you must first lose.