What’s a Beyoncé video release without a little controversy?
Director Abteen Bagheri and producer Chris Black took to Twitter to voice their frustrations with Beyoncé and “Formation” video director Melina Matsoukas after scenes from their documentary That B.E.A.T. appeared in Bey’s new video.
According to them, Bey & co. used the documentary footage without giving proper credit.
Most of Abteen’s tweets on the issue have since been deleted, but he said the following:
It’s one thing to make a career off referencing/copying, but just to take footage from our lens and say you’re the director?
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 6, 2016
Also, coincidentally, 2 years ago today is the day That B.E.A.T. got accepted to SXSW, haha… Thanks Facebook.
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 7, 2016
If you call yourself a director, have some respect for other people with the same title. Talk to me about how and why you need my footage.
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 7, 2016
This is awesome. My twitter’s blowing up for something I did 3 years ago. Thanks Melina/Beyoncé.
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 7, 2016
The issue is passing off someone else’s work as your own. Preserve the sanctity of the craft… Don’t just plop footage in your video!
— abteen bagheri (@abteen) February 7, 2016
Take a look at some of the ‘borrowed’ scenes.
So, how did Beyoncé and Melina go about using the footage? Well, Abteen and Chris sold their documentary to the Sundance Channel — who now assumes all rights to the footage.
Although the team directly responsible for making the documentary didn’t give Beyoncé & co. permission to use it, they didn’t have to. The rightful owner of the documentary (Sundance Channel) did!
Even still, Melina graciously took to Twitter after being accused of theft to give Abteen and those responsible a shoutout.
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
Update: Bey’s rep has issued a statement on the situation.
“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 .”
Drama aside, The B.E.A.T. is a fascinating documentary on New Orleans culture that we wouldn’t have stumbled across had it not been for this incident. If you have 10 minutes to spare, get into it below!
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