It tells the somewhat clichéd tale of a drink and drugs cycle together with a liberal sprinkling of depression, but in a way that’s been rarely seen before, if at all :
Sia – “Chandelier” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjPBrBU-TM
Now I’m certainly not a fan of overused story lines, skimpy outfits or make-up on girls for shock value or for any reason at all if I’m honest or indeed of contemporary dance either. But without any of the above elements in this case I very much doubt I’d be making this post about it (it's a ballerina's leotard by the way, not a skin suit). I also commend all concerned in deciding to depict the song in this way – Sia (the singer / writer / co-choreographer), Maddie (the dancer and presumably her mother) and the music executives at RCA who all could have chosen a much more mainstream and less controversial route.
The dance, the dancer, the song and the environment fit the theme, mood and lyrics exceptionally well and for me was both compelling and mesmerising. To some degree she reminded me of Natalie Portman's "Mathilda" in the film "Leon" and a little of Daryl Hannah's "Pris" in Blade Runner. Her acting in this certainly shows a maturity beyond her years and at the same time shows an innocence in her movement and expression that only youth can bring (she was 11 at the time).
While there’s been a few songs and their matching videos that have made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end (Adele’s “Someone Like You” in recent years) and others that I’ve sat and thought about for quite some time after (Nirvana’s “Smells like teen spirit”), this video will slot into its own individual area in my head and likely stay there for some time to come.
All things considered, I humbly offer up the following rating :
Slightly more controversial (apparently) is Sia's "Elastic Heart", with the same dancer and Shia LaBeouf : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZGAExj-es
It's a good idea (two animals in a cage) but the addition of LeBeouf and the the lower level of 'acting' within detracts from what I feel is an extremely good song :
Edit : As a man a lot more qualified than me once said, "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."
― Banksy
