By Keith Walsh
Colorful billboards with dramatic images of Shen Yun dancers from mainland China have popped up in major cities of the U.S. annually for 15 years now. In their new video, “Falun Gong Dancer,” Irish synth pop duo Telefís romanticize the journey of a Shen Yun performer with cryptic images.
People who attended Shen Yun performances have described a celebration of Chinese culture, in performances of traditional folk dances. By all accounts the costumes and visuals are stunning. However, there is a darker side to this, all of which is detailed in Telefís’ song. The last verse however, is a hauntingly beautiful paean of love to the dancer. The music itself is stark, minimal and lovely.
She can speak in dragon/and levitate through walls
She can touch me sweetly/then wickedness will fall
Just need 90 billboards/myths morphed into forecasts
Then you steal away/embrace and heal me
When she gazes on me/love will conquer all
(From Falun Gong Dancer, by Telefis)
‘Forbidden’
Shen Yun is backed by Falun Gong, the controversial Chinese religious organization at odds with their government, engaging in protests that have led to their persecution. Falun Gong has anywhere from two million to seventy million followers (depending on whom you believe) and is led by U.S. based Li Hongzhi. Shen Yun are forbidden from performing in China, allegedly because the central government sees traditional culture as a threat, but most likely because Hongzhi resides in the West.
The video, directed by Matt Mahurin, adds layers of intrigue to the already opaque aura of Falun Gong, with (mostly) beautiful images, shot in slow motion. It’s a hauntingly delicate and chilling work of art that cleverly avoids the fetishization of Chinese culture. Telefís is led by Cathal Coughlan (MicroDisney, Fatima Mansions) and Garret “Jacknife” Lee (Compulsion, and remixer for U2, Radiohead, Blur, and New Order).
Telefís also released a remix of “Falun Gong Dancer” featuring Jah Wobble, as well as an accompanying video. The debut album by Telefís ,a hAon. will be released in February on Dimple Discs Records.
Telefís on Bandcamp
Telefís on Facebook
Telefís On YouTube
Telefís dot com
Dimple Discs On Facebook
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