some images used for her new video from a 2012 Sundance Film Festival documentary
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696109561678209024
@TheBlack @abteen without permission ?
— ☾lil ☾weedy ☾ (@darth__mouth) February 6, 2016
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Beyonce’s reps stated:
“The documentary footage was used with permission and licensed from the owner of the footage. They were given proper compensation. The footage was provided to us by the filmmaker’s production company. The filmmaker is listed in the credits for additional photography direction. We are thankful that they granted us permission .”
The video’s director, Melina Matsoukas, took to Twitter to thank the filmmakers
Must give much love to the beautiful NOLA footage shot and directed by @abteen and @lkeber to make #FORMATION whole.
— melina matsoukas (@melinamatsoukas) February 7, 2016
Via Tweet (that since, has been deleted) the directors and producers of the (said) stolen footage had this to say:
@TheBlack @darth__mouth I said no
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 6, 2016
My response was Beyoncé doesn’t need our charity. But here it is. No credit. No surprise.
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 6, 2016
After Matsoukas’ Twitter credit, one of the two directors-@abteen-replied:
https://twitter.com/abteen/status/696165648934707203
…but maintains this stance:
I'm not mad. It's the sad reality of the music business. Doesn't affect my friends' and my work, but not cool.
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 6, 2016
The other director simply retweeted Matsoukas’ Twitter thank you:
“@melinamatsoukas: Must give much love to the beautiful NOLA footage shot and directed by @abteen and @lkeber to make #FORMATION whole.”
— Natasha Deidre (@TashaDeidre) February 7, 2016
And well…It’s like Beyonce rapped in the song herself: “Stay gracious. The best revenge is your paper.”
I’m guessing until “credit” turns into paper, the producer of the (said) “stolen” clips maintains and will always have this to say:
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696110728906874880
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696112895290007554
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696113339408080896
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696114486000746496
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696139270134706176
https://twitter.com/TheBlack/status/696143794383691777
