Vid: Samson

[bop_radar]

Title: Samson
Artist: Regina Spektor
Fandom: Smallville
Description: Clark/Lana mood piece, spoilers to episode 7.04
Download: direct download (24 MB) or streaming at BAM or Blip (has been disabled on YouTube)
Credits: I had a lot of help with this one! The original concept is radioreverie's and huge thanks go to her for creative brainstorming as well. Profuse thanks to talitha78 for lifting my spirits with her wonderful feedback, and to supacat and brokenmnemonic for additional beta comments.
Notes: My aim was to capture the emotional tone of the Clana relationship, rather than take a literal or heavily meta approach, although I couldn't resist sprinkling a little meta in. Although it's in Lana's voice, it's not strictly Lana point-of-view--it was my intention to capture the ship as a whole. I'm passionate about neither the song nor the ship, but it was a satisfying experience vidding them nonetheless and I forced myself to practise transitions. And yes, I squeed crazily when they referenced the Samson/Delilah relationship in the episode last night. (My ep review is late because it spurred me to finish this first!)
Lyrics:

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didnt mention us
The bible didnt mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first , I loved you first
Beneath the stars came falling on our heads
But they're just old light
They're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors and the yellow light
He told me that I'd done alright
and kissed me till the morning light the morning light
and he kissed me till the morning light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonder bread
and went right back to bed
We couldn't break the columns down
No, we couldn't destroy a single one
and the history books forgot about us
and the bible didnt mention us
not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first

Feedback would be wonderful should any of you care to watch! :)

Comments

[radioreverie.livejournal.com]

This turned out better than I ever could have possibly hoped. It's so incredibly bittersweet and beautiful and captures a side to their relationship that is sometimes lost in the repetition on the show. Beautiful work, darling.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie! I couldn't have done it without you, as you know. Your constant prodding paid off! ;) I know I departed somewhat from your inital notes, but without them I could never have got started--from there it rather took on a life of it's own. Definitely felt like a vid that needed to be made!

[juxtoppozed.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous, tragically poignant--you actually made me tear up about Clana for the first time. That moved me more than anything I've ever read or seen about them. Especially the parts coinciding with And history books forgot about us and the bible didnt mention us/The bible didnt mention us, not even once and I loved you first, I loved you first. The song couldn't be more perfect. You made me really feel for Lana and Clana, simultaneously feel the heaviness of their history and their imminent pain. Beautifully, beautifully done.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Your feedback is EXACTLY what I hoped for! I knew a Clana vid wouldn't get a big audience but I hoped that just one person would be moved by it. *beams* I'm so glad those parts worked for you--they were exciting to vid and radioreverie must take credit for some of the choices--she kept peppering me with suggestions. ;)

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[latteaddict.livejournal.com]

Beautiful vid, truly.

There was a lot of sweet and angsty moments and I enjoyed the insightful and careful way you reinforced the lyrics with particular clips. I'm sure I missed a bunch (only being a general viewer of SV) but about halfway through I started picking up the import rather than just watching the pretty people.

And SV is a gorgeous looking show, isn't it?

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm delighted you watched--Clana isn't a very popular ship, and it's not even MY ship, but the song works so well for them. And if nothing else they are absolutely gorgeous, yes. It's so fun to play with the shiny pretty!

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

Oh Bop, I've only watched it twice and I'm all misty. Emotional reaction first? At first it made me happy! All these little moments and history. No matter whatever happens, they will always hold a special place in each other's hearts. I still feel they are doomed but that knowing they will always love each other made me happy. But I still think that they should be apart. Lana needs some . . . space. So does Clark.

Vid reaction? What a lovely song choice! The Wonder Bread line got me. SV and Clark are so darn wholesome! One of my favorite moments was at minute 1:16 at the line "I loved you first" when both Chloe and Lois look back. It's like present, future, past, all in those three women that love him. Then I liked minute 2:24 at the line, "Sampson." The vid gave me sympathy, strangely enough, for Clark. Because she is his sweetest downfall too. And he loved her first. This vid showed me a bit of his pain in loving Lana and I really hadn't seen things from his point of view before.

It's all so romantic and beautiful and tragic and I love this video. Thank you.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Mistiness is good! :) And I'm glad there was some happiness in there for you because I think there's meant to be--there's a purity and innocence to their relationship that works really perfectly as the 'first love'. The memories should be sweet ones.

I'm glad the 'wonder bread' worked! And the Chloe&Lois shot--it was always a risk showing them at all in a vid about Clana, but I love that shot of them turning back to look at them.

VERY excited that it helped you see Clark's point of view a little more. Yay! The song definitely works for both of them.

[bananainpyjamas.livejournal.com]

Oh this is such an emotional vid. Even though "soft" songs tend to be difficult to vid well, I have you say, your song choice was absolutely flawless. "I loved you first" and "The history books forgot about us // And the Bible didn't mention us, not even once" are just a kick to the gut that hurts so much (but in a good way). Those moments were my favorite in the vid. I especially liked the use of the Chloe and Lois shot over "I loved you first." It was a nice way to acknowledge the other women in Clark's life without distracting from the focus on Lana.

You really captured the essence of what's bittersweet about SV's Clark/Lana relationship here. Clark/Lana doesn't have a great rep in fandom so I loved seeing such a wonderful vid dedicated to them, even if they're not my ship of choice.

On another note, do you not have a permanent host for your vids? I could set up a subdomain for you on modern-mythology.com if you'd like. I'd hate having to see you limited to SendSpace, what with its annoying connection problems. :P

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hee! I know just what you mean about 'soft' songs--but I couldn't go past this one.

especially liked the use of the Chloe and Lois shot over "I loved you first." It was a nice way to acknowledge the other women in Clark's life without distracting from the focus on Lana.
Oh, yay!

Clark/Lana doesn't have a great rep in fandom so I loved seeing such a wonderful vid dedicated to them, even if they're not my ship of choice.
They really don't and I guess it excited me to have an opportunity to show people a little of the ship's appeal. They're not my ship either, but it felt really nice to explore them.

On another note, do you not have a permanent host for your vids? I could set up a subdomain for you on modern-mythology.com if you'd like. I'd hate having to see you limited to SendSpace, what with its annoying connection problems. :P
OMG, really?! That's such an incredibly generous offer I don't know what to say. I don't have a permanent host though I had been uploading my vids to imeem before it started causing my browser to crash. *grumbles* So yeah, it's always been a pain. But, I... um, only if it's really no trouble for you! And if there's anything I can do to repay the favour, you'd have to let me know!

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Eeep sorry to be a pain, but is there something I need to d/l to watch it? For some reason it won't play in windows media for me :/

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Er, it should play in VLC media player which is free to download. The only other think I can think is you might need the DivX3 codec? I'm not sure. *bites lip* I hope you get to watch it. I was going to try uploading to a streaming site today so I'll let you know if I do.

Ignore the mocking icon; it's the only SV one I've got right now.

[serrico.livejournal.com]

Oooh, *lovely*! Especially in light of all the things addressed in 'Wrath'; if that ep had made its points with the finesse and grace you did in this vid, I...am going to stop that train of thought right now, before I harsh anybody's ep squee. ;)

Anyway! Your vid: *perfect* song. And your clip choices are wonderful; they explore the entire range of the Clana relationship, from the yearning of old to the...well, the yearning of new, really. *g* The ways in which Lana and Clark have been good to each other, and the ways in which they're both, ultimately, kind of bad for each other; the introduction of Clark's destiny (I am IN LOVE with the way you introduced Lex: as a dark silhouette through the smoke and dirt, a shadowy and unpleasant presence in both Lana and Clark's lives) and Lana's ultimate status as a footnote in the story of Clark's grander deeds and relationships; Lana's sad understanding of how, no matter how much they love each other, she is one of Clark's weaknesses, and just as potentially destructive as kryptonite...

...oh, it's *all* good. Yay, well- and smartly-done late-season SV vid!

Thie icon is wonderful!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you for the wonderful feedback!

if that ep had made its points with the finesse and grace you did in this vid, I...am going to stop that train of thought right now, before I harsh anybody's ep squee. ;)
Hee! Yes, the episode wasn't exactly subtle.

the introduction of Clark's destiny (I am IN LOVE with the way you introduced Lex: as a dark silhouette through the smoke and dirt, a shadowy and unpleasant presence in both Lana and Clark's lives
Oh, YAY. I'm glad someone appreciated that treatment.

Lana's ultimate status as a footnote in the story of Clark's grander deeds and relationships; Lana's sad understanding of how, no matter how much they love each other, she is one of Clark's weaknesses, and just as potentially destructive as kryptonite...
Whee! This is wonderful feedback because now I know I conveyed what I wanted to convey. Thank you!

[slinkling.livejournal.com]

Oooh, Boppy, this is lovely! The song is such a perfect choice for them (and I'm now imagining a fic giving Lana's POV long after Superman becomes famous: reminiscences from the girl who isn't part of the public legend). I love how you've matched moments from the show to the lyrics -- "my truth" with Clark taking her to the Fortress stands out in particular. I have to laugh at the idea that you're trying to lay off the meta; "heavily meta" seems unavoidable here, since the emotional tone of their relationship is completely shadowed by the audience's meta-knowledge. Theirs is a relationship infused with so much melancholy, because they're NOT the destined couple even though they keep trying to be -- and you've definitely captured that wistfulness here. *applauds*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I'm now imagining a fic giving Lana's POV long after Superman becomes famous: reminiscences from the girl who isn't part of the public legend
That would be very cool, I think. I've always liked that angle.

I have to laugh at the idea that you're trying to lay off the meta; "heavily meta" seems unavoidable here, since the emotional tone of their relationship is completely shadowed by the audience's meta-knowledge.
Hee! Um, ok, you caught me. I know, I know... but believe me when I say it could have been MORE meta-y. For me, this was a fairly airbrushy treatment. At least compared to my last (non-SV) vid.

SO glad to hear it worked for you! Thanks for watching!

[romanyg.livejournal.com]

Oh Bop, you have me near tears here. Seriously, I'm all choked up. This is just fantastically beautiful. You're right in that this captures the emotional feel of the relationship, but there is a lot of meta going on here too.

Each time they lyric of "the bible didn't mention us" occurs, there's the flash of Namaan and Sageeth, Lex and Clark and their destiny. And this was mentioned upthread, but also the clip from "Reckoning" when both Chloe and Lois turn to the refrain of "I loved you first" so that the "first" is bittersweet and past tense, that other things, other people, lie in the future. Just a wonderful thing that they had this at all.

And the wonderful transitions during "Samson came to my bed", going from the wake-up scene in "Hidden" to the hospital scene and back again. Clark giving up his destiny to be with Lana, the horrible consequences but the sweetness of it too, that there is something worthy, worthwhile, in it.

I wish I could be more articulate, but I'm still a bit teary.

Just wonderful work. Thank you.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Each time they lyric of "the bible didn't mention us" occurs, there's the flash of Namaan and Sageeth, Lex and Clark and their destiny.
I'm really glad that idea has worked for people.

Clark giving up his destiny to be with Lana, the horrible consequences but the sweetness of it too, that there is something worthy, worthwhile, in it.
Hee! I have to confess that when I put that sequence together I indulged in a completely soppy premenstrual session of teary-ness! I was a mess. ;) They're a bit heartbreaky when you really get into them. The sex scene from Mortal was just so sad--I think that's what's always really struck me. But that waking up scene is so beautiful and sunlit.

I wish I could be more articulate, but I'm still a bit teary.
Aww! *passes tissues* That's wonderful feedback--thank you!

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Well, it took about a hundred years for me to download this at home, which is why this reply is so late--but I think you broke me. I just watched it three times in a row and I cannot stop crying. I think if I hadn't been a Clana shipper already, this vid would have easily converted me--it's so beautiful and so bittersweet, and the song choice and clip choices are perfect.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, Nora, your dedication to downloading my vids is so wonderful! :) I know it's not easy for you! And I'm so glad this really worked for you--I knew it was a heartbreaker for those who feel the emotional chords of their relationship. I'm biting my nails to see what serenography makes of it. I'd apologise for making you cry, except, well, I'm just delighted the vid WORKED. *g*

*passes you tissues and chocolates*

[angel2177.livejournal.com]

I've had to watch it on my laptop lol

the vid is really beautiful and I also ship them. You portraying the relationship so well and good editing too

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh yay--thank you! I'm delighted this worked for a Clana shipper. Thanks for the feedback!

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

i downloaded this and watched it, after reading the other reactions. it's beautifully done. it's helpful to me too, in a way, since i haven't seen all the episodes in all the seasons -- there's the whole sweep of their relationship over time. i was more moved by it than i'd have expected to be.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I knew it wasn't going to be a big hit with a lot of people given that Clark/Lana's not very popular, but it's great to hear that it's moved people who aren't that into the ship. Doing an overview of six and half seasons was pretty challenging so I really appreciate the feedback!

[keewick.livejournal.com]

This was a brilliant mood piece! It was everything everyone else already said above and more, so I'll just leave you with my favorite bits.

- The intro clip of Lana standing there then turning with a wistful smile when Clark comes up behind her set the perfect tone and was beautiful to boot.

- At the 35 second mark, I loved the visuals of Lana turning round to see the kryptonite necklace Clark recovered for her and appreciated the symbolism.

- Both 'ate a slice of wonder bread's were just right with both kisses seeming extra wholesome and happy and domestic.

- The 'history books forgot about us, the bible didn't mention us, not even once' bits made my stomach hurt for Lana. What makes me feel a little better is that while we know Clark goes off to become Superman and fight Lex and love Lois, unless Lana's killed off in this final season, her future is still unwritten. She could do anything, be anything, and maybe even avoid a lot of the pain and suffering those in the 'history books' are destined to experience.

- From 1:18 onward through all the star imagery my breath was stolen. Gorgeous visuals and then the 'they're just old light' with an older Lana walking up to stand beside Clark where they once shared their first (unaltered) kiss was so heartbreaking. This stretch was pure perfection. And then the clips that follow from the graveyard with angel!Clark and Lana turning around with that smile for 'when we first met' hit me hard.

- Resurrected Clark walking back into Lana's life at 2:11 and him holding her up in his arms really fit the musical interlude there. And the fade to black as the music paused was very effective.

- And finally I loved the final footage from Action because it was so very, very 'sweet' and that pan up so we can see Clark looking so very much like Superman rescuing her like he will rescue so many in the future.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thanks for leaving such wonderful lengthy feedbck! :)

Lana turning round to see the kryptonite necklace Clark recovered for her
That's actually one of my personal favourite moments in the vid. I love how the transition worked out and it's such a sweet moment--one I didn't fully appreciate the resonance of when I first saw it.

made my stomach hurt for Lana
Wow! Yeah, I kind of know that feeling.

Lana's killed off in this final season, her future is still unwritten. She could do anything, be anything, and maybe even avoid a lot of the pain and suffering those in the 'history books' are destined to experience.
Yes, definitely! I think the thing with Lana is that while she truly loves Clark, I don't think she would enjoy the experience of being Superman's girlfriend--I honestly believe it would be good for neither her nor Clark. That means potentially there is a happier life for her elsewhere and that's still unwritten, as you say. Yes, the memories will be bittersweet, but I think she could come to terms with that.

'they're just old light' with an older Lana walking up to stand beside Clark where they once shared their first (unaltered) kiss was so heartbreaking
That's my favourite lyric--I'm glad you liked my treatment.

the final footage from Action because it was so very, very 'sweet' and that pan up so we can see Clark looking so very much like Superman rescuing her like he will rescue so many in the future
I was so in love with that shot from 'Action'--I just had to put it in and they're just so beautiful together.

THANK YOU!

[talitha78.livejournal.com]

Eeee!!! Downloading final version now.

[talitha78.livejournal.com]

It's so *pretty*! I can't get over how perfect the song choice is.

And thank goodness you didn't listen to me about the Chloe/Lois clip. Whew! Never listen to me when it comes to issues of contextual meaning. ;)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, yeah did you see everyone loved that clip?! ;) It's ok, I felt confident enough with that one.

And yay! I'm glad you love the pretty--I was pleased with the final export, but too me a bitch of a time to get there.

[serenography.livejournal.com]

Oh, boppy. *hand on heart*

What can I say to do this justice? Not enough, I'm sure. I've been so busy this wknd with my friend visiting and going to the SPN con that I haven't been online hardly at all. I go to do a quick skim before going to bed and look what I find - this pivotal creation of yours that speaks to the very heart of what I so dearly love about this show.

I was given that song by radioreverie as part of a Lana mix quite a while ago, and every time I hear it I just ached to see it made into a vid. When I heard Lionel invoke the Samson and Delilah story in last week's episode, I literally gasped. I'm just so speechless that you actually made the video I've been so longing to see, but you did it SO PERFECTLY capturing the sweet tragedy that defines the Clark and Lana relationship on this show. You totally 'got' every part of the song that I've envisioned, and you went even farther with it than I could have imagined.

This is a video I will treasure and watch time and time again. From my heart - I thank you for creating it.

[serenography.livejournal.com]

Also, I forgot to add that you are a vidding goddess for putting that Hereafter clip in there. You already know how that clip inspired me, and I just want to hug and kiss you for using it in this vid. This is very emotional for me, I apologize for babbling so much about it, but you know, the timing of this could not be more perfect.

[bradcpu.livejournal.com]

Even for someone who's never seen a single episode of Smallville, that was very pretty and very bittersweet. The narrative was *wonderfully* clear, even to me, which is quite an accomplishment. And I thought you did a great job with lyric ties.

My favorite was "bible didn't mention us", and really the only reason I got the full impact of that one was because someone had explained the meaning of the symbol to me. It really drives home the point of an ill-fated relationship and how destiny hasn't chosen her/them.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow, the narrative was clear?! *boggles* That's brilliant! Smallville's a challenge to vid in some ways as there are so many still camera shots and ultra-close-ups. There's a lot of symbolism but so much of it is contextual like the 'Namaan/Segeth' symbol that I used for the 'bible' lyric. I knew that one wouldn't make a lot of sense to fans outside the show but it's great that you felt it worked.

Thanks for watching despite not being a SV viewer!

[brandil.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, really, really stunning.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Thanks for watching! :D

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Beautiful - I cried like a baby.
Poor kids.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thank you for the feedback!

[corbeaun.livejournal.com]

This is an unbelievably perfect song for the Clark/Lana relationship. I don't know where you find it, but, wow. Because, yes, history really would forget her - either in favor of Clark and Lex's epic rivalry, or the Clark/Lois relationship. It's more than a little sad, after all that she's been through with Clark and Lex.

My favorite moment was at 0:55 with the shot of Lana looking up to the double-headed cave painting (the two names escaping me for the moment). It's amazing meta in a vid and really underscores how marginal she's going be in the fight between the two iconic figures.

Love. <33


Oh, one random comment - at 2:19, with that shot of Lana and Clark hugging, where Clark lifts her off her feet? Wow. That's some height difference. I never realized. ^^

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's an eerily perfect song, isn't it? radioreverie pointed out how perfectly Clana it was.

the shot of Lana looking up to the double-headed cave painting (the two names escaping me for the moment). It's amazing meta in a vid and really underscores how marginal she's going be in the fight between the two iconic figures.
Namaan and Segeth, and yay, I'm glad that moment worked for you!

with that shot of Lana and Clark hugging, where Clark lifts her off her feet? Wow. That's some height difference. I never realized. ^^
Hee! I KNOW. That shot gets to me every time--she just looks so fragile and tiny in his arms, it makes my heart thump. :)

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful, beautiful vid. Both visually lush and bittersweet. Lovely.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

Fantastic song choice for those two and you absolutely nailed how I imagine their relationship. Which is impressive considering I slant very very strongly towards comics canon, not Smallville canon. :} Deliciously bittersweet vid.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! What heartening feedback! :D

[oxoniensis.livejournal.com]

Heartbreaking and lovely.

[mskatej.livejournal.com]

I finally got to see this! I don't know why but the downloads didn't work for me. But oh. OH WOW. I have a huge lump in my throat; this was BEAUTIFUL.

The perfect song for Clark and Lana, cleverly edited, deeply emotional. Fantastic job, darlin. BRAVO!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, thank you! :D I'm sorry you had download trouble. I am sorting that out, actually, as bananainpyjamas has offered to host my vids on her site.

[femmenerd.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. And so sympathetic to the characters. Great song choice. I wish I had more brain for this FB right now!