Split Screen: Beyonce "Countdown" vs Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker

The earlier video highlights the work that "inspired" the music video for Beyonce's "Countdown." This second video puts the "inspiration" and the music video side-by-side.

HISTORY: Beyonce's "Countdown" video pays homage to many well-known women throughout recent history, including Audrey Hepburn and model Peggy Moffitt. However, most of the choreography and some of the cinematography, costumes and make-up used in the video are derivative of the work of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, a Belgian choreographer and dancer who was not as well-known by many young Americans until her work, uncredited, was pointed out in the video and others accused the video-makers of plagiarism. De Keersmaeker was not asked if her dance moves and overall style could be used and or mimicked for the video and was unaware of their appearance until she saw the video after its release.

This is not the first time Beyonce and her music videos have been called out for plagiarism or baring too much similarity to other work. Her last video, '1+1,' reproduces scenes from the unfinished French film, 'L'Enfer' (1964), starring Romy Schneider, while her upcoming video, 'Love on Top,' is a modern version of the music video 'If it isn't Love' by 80s R&B group New Edition. The singer also used dance routines from African dance group, Tofo Tofo for the video 'Run the World (Girls),' but included the dancers in the production. The singer has also been inspired by American choreographer Bob Fosse. The famous 'Single Ladies' dance bares striking resemblance to Fosse's 'Mexican Breakfast' and 'Something Better than This' (Sweet Charity), while Beyonce's video for 'Get me Bodied' is a modern update of the 'Rich Man's Frug,' another scene from Fosse's Sweet Charity. Most recently, the singer's live Billboard Music Awards performance was shown to be a near replica of Italian singer Lorella Cuccarini's live performance--it was later revealed that Beyonce contacted some of the same creators of Cuccarini's performance for her own performance. The original videos, as well as countless others that make comparisons between Beyonce's work and other work, can be found on Youtube. Beyonce has admitted to AOL Music and other sources that Youtube videos have inspired her work.

Both Beyonce and De Keersmaeker have made statements about the 'Countdown' issue and while the controversy is dying down, the video raised discussion about the differences between an homage, inspiration, reference, plagiarism, etc. Nonetheless, this video will hopefully show off the originals and pay some respect to both Beyonce and the original dancers, choreography, filmmakers, etc. Enjoy!

First video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxbrHPAa9mE

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Beyonce
• Countdown
• video
• Anne Teresa
• De Keersmaeker
• copy
• homage
• plagiarism
• copied

[I3oarderlineCrazy]

To all the people basically saying. "She should be happy, I wouldn't even know this person if beyonce didn't copy her." That's like you making a little cartoon, working for months on it, and then turning on tv to see your work, drawn a little different. But, it's ok! People wouldn't have known about it if it wasn't stolen. :\

[stricknacco]

@spicey002 She didn't ask for permission. The original choreographer called it plagiarism and stealing, which is what it is.

[FeliciaAndreaY]

Is she really pregnant in during this video?

[Lilleypad11]

@lexiluvsmusic1 shut up and open your eyes. If we apparently dont know if she stole it (which she obviously did) how do you know she didnt. ugh stupid stans!!!!

[WaterBenderJ21]

@TAYEASZ I cant stand this fake as bitch neither !

[orioncheung]

@infrantasi So, why are you telling me about your gay life?.... no homo.

[infrantasi]

@orioncheung Who gives a rat's ass about copyright? That still doesn't excuse her lack of ideas from within herself. Beyoncé has ZILCH in the originality department, she looks and acts about as black as Barbra Streisand, and her music SUCKS! But no one can criticize her cause she make so much paper. WOW.

[infrantasi]

@infrantasi And go check out "Mesmerized", I drool like a pig every time I watch that woman shake it, and SANG IT!

[infrantasi]

@Lilleypad11 I have lost all respect for this woman who calls herself Beyoncé, which should just be changed to "Bouncy", as she bounces from artist to artist, rippin' it off wherever and whenever she can. The music is so bubble-gum "post-hip-hop" who cares anyway. Faith Evans, a REAL black woman, is a better singer, performer and a true original. Kiss my ass, Bouncy Bowels.

[TAYEASZ]

SHE ALWAYS "REMAKING" SOME SHIT .. THIS AINT NEW ... SHE HAS ALWAYS LACKED ORIGINALITY BIT SHE MAKES UP FOR IT WITH EVERYTHING ELSE .

[KMANWatson13]

@kemchobhenchod Idiot.

[Lilleypad11]

man yall need to get off beyonces nuts and open your eyes...there is a huge difference between inspiration and plain on copying. Seeing this side by side she damn near copyied all the dance moves. wardrobe and makeup. What make it bad is that she doesnt pay homage to the ORIGINAL person who created this work. She passes it off as her own and thats what really irkes me about her. Just plain phony and overrated.