Born free- but it may not end that way

Q. Is the new M.I.A. video, directed by Romain Gavras, pointlessly violent?

A. No.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

The almost-nine minute long video to the Sri Lankan stars most recent song, one which features a prominently looped sample of Suicide's Ghost Rider, shows scenes of police brutality, naked flesh, lots of explosions and a suitably bloody ending. Showing a succession of police raids and the deportation of a bunch of ginger teenagers to some kind of death camp, where they must run through a minefield, goes straight for the jugular in its efforts to get its point across. The point is clearly one about oppression, brutality and violence in the world, and in particular that aimed at particular groups of people, reflecting both the troubles of M.I.A.'s homeland, as well as the lyrics of the original Suicide song, "America, America is killing its kids". The fact that it was also made by Gavras, who shot this notorious video for Justice, also helps to explain the ultra-violent social commentary of this "promo" (I don't see it getting played, unedited, on MTV anytime soon).
As well as making apt political and humanitarian points, the video suits the menacing groove of the track's sampled backing, as well as M.I.A.'s snotty, punky vocals, and her assertion that she was "Born Free"- which is also the title of the track as I have forgetfully neglected to mention.
It's a far-cry from the lazy, slacker vibes of breakthrough hit Paper Planes, although Maya's predilection for sampling classic bands seems to have remained. The grittier, more lo-fi approach to the recording is also perhaps the result of getting into Sleigh Bells, recent signees to her N.E.E.T. label, whose sound is not too dissimilar in it's brutal fuzzed-out approach.
Born Free will probably be appearing on M.I.A.'s third album, which is as yet untitled, due out on June 29th in the USA, not sure about the UK release date.