Beyoncé’s music video ‘Formation’ is rife with symbolism and visual motifs. Between African Americans relations with the police to free hair movements, this video is full of beautifully artistic references, all framed by varied visual motifs. One that primarily stood out to me was the use of the long shots and synchronized movement and stillness. Used in multiple scenes throughout ‘Formation’, this is primarily used when pulling away from the main focus (Beyoncé) and including multiple other people to convey a certain message, like unity or power.

 The first example is when Beyoncé, who is shown wearing a long black dress, bountiful jewelry, and a wide-brimmed hat that covers her eyes, stands before a southern plantation house with African American men in nice suits surrounding her. This is symbolic of African American’s first true freedom after slavery as they stand before their former oppression (the house), wearing clothing typical of the period (showing their membership and unity with the rest of society). Her stance in front of the plantation is strong and dominate while having it framed with respectable-looking men. This gives the impression that they have risen from their past and have grown from it. It is also a defying move and is symbolic of freedom, freed of chains and restraints. It is, however, worth mentioning that they do not move while in front of the house, which is symbolic of being held back by history or culture, but they are unified in their static stances. Knowles is wearing a hat which covers her eyes and during one part of the video she extends her middle finger to the audience. This could be symbolic that some dissatisfaction is blindly directed outward and that the person directing the discontent is unaware of where it is truly headed. This is an interesting thing to think about with all of the animosity between African Americans, the police, and the media. Later in the video, she looks up from her large black hat and says “You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation, always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper”. Now, this could mean a few things. Combined with the fact that she had previously been blind, I took it as her way of speaking to some of the people causing media outrage recently. Once she lifts the veil off of her eyes she can more accurately see what is what and is calling everybody to do the same; leave the mindset of the past behind and open your eyes to what lies before you. Shown in clothing from various periods, Beyoncé jumps through different years in the video to highlight some major times in African American history like antebellum south, the 1970’s and the more recent 1990’s.

Next, Beyoncé is in an empty pool in a line with other African American women. First, the symbolism of the choreography is important in that it supports the unity of the literal formation. It suggests that women, especially African American woman, should unite together. If you study the movements of the women together, you’ll notice that it is mostly comprised of very feminine dancing. Bringing attention to their hips with swaying and squats, you’re also forced to pay attention to their long, limber legs. In addition, the outfits the women wear are very complimentary to the female body, accentuating curves. Also, the women sport a natural haircut is critical, as it is even referenced earlier in the song with the appearance of Beyoncé’s own child, Blue Ivy. Knowles also specifically says “I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros”, as well as “I like my negro nose with Jackson five nostrils”. 

There are other areas of the video, however, that don’t contribute to the idea that the focused choreography is meaningful and symbolic of unity. The dancing inside the house, for example, or how Beyoncé sits by herself in that white dress with a parasol. There are also scenes where other people are the audience’s focus. One could objectively look at this complex video and come to the conclusion that there are enough un-meaningful scenes to outweigh the meaningful ones. It is comparable to cherry picking information to support an argument. I would disagree, however, because in art the small parts are what matter the most. This is why considering the large scale over the small scale does not make a compelling argument.

The symbolism of embracing African American beauty standards, such as an afro or wider nostrils, stems from the ‘free hair’ or ‘natural hair’ movement of the 1960’s and 70’s which she embodies in her video through clothing and hairstyles. This is yet another reference to the importance of unity and black heritage in the ‘Formation’ video. Another reference to African American hair culture is when Knowles is riding around in a car, letting her dreads hang loose out of the window. Lastly, all the women are dancing in an empty pool. This can be symbolic in multiple ways. For example, Hurricane Katrina is referenced in this music video as it devastated many families in New Orleans. Her choosing to have them dance ‘under water’ could be symbolic of the unity needed to survive this natural disaster. This is a call to ‘get in formation’ to help each another. “Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation […] prove to me you got some coordination.” Knowles is specifically challenging women in particular to band together.

 As a community, this means that they need to stick together when their community is in trouble. As women, as African Americans, or even just as people that have suffered through a mutual ordeal together, everything will come together as long as they stick together as a community and a family. They can surpass all expectations and the stereotypes if they unite and wait out until the tides recede, even the comically mentioned “haters and illuminati mess”. The choreographed movement and long shots in the ‘Formation’ music video seek to show everybody as a unified group, exhibiting a feeling of being large and powerful; stronger together.