Director Anthony Mandler — who also helmed the singer’s “Wait Your Turn” clip — said the video is the perfect embodiment of the haunting ballad.
“I think that with this song and the meaning of this song and how loaded it all is, no pun intended, how much imagery and perhaps symbolism that is loaded in this song, the only way to do it was to do something that was visually challenging,” he told MTV News about the video, which premieres Friday (November 13) on “20/20.”
Mandler thought of the video as a metaphor for Rihanna’s very public life in the gossip pages, as opposed to a direct comment on her February assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown.
“I think you can’t effect change unless you’re willing to take a risk,” he said. “You can’t get people to pay attention and understand unless you’re willing to push the limit and try new things. The song, this situation, everything is so frontloaded with so much gossip and so much media coverage and so many emotions and stories that if you don’t try to do something that is poetic and layered in symbolism, then you’re either running from the truth or you’re being too obvious with it.”
So, instead of literally telling the story of lovers in a dangerous game, Rihanna and Mandler decided to make that the subplot.
“I think our objective was to run down our lane with it and to step out of the drama and the gossip,” he said. “To get deeper and be more symbolic.”
And off topic… We love MTV for giving us a shoutout all the time!! Go and check MTV.com yourself!
RUSSIAN ROULETTE VIDEO LEAKED!!
FULL ALBUM LEAKED TODAY!!
(search in youtube)
Comment by Mad — November 13, 2009 @ 5:17 am
YEAH,IM FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Marvin — November 13, 2009 @ 5:21 am
Anthony Mandler you did a great job :D !
Comment by Rehab — November 13, 2009 @ 5:21 am
@ anthony i love the concept, its dramatic, dark, sexy,, intense and exhilatating, its a very powerful creation, and riri sound and looks very perogative in the video.
Comment by bodacious. — November 13, 2009 @ 5:26 am
CRAZY VIDEO!
Comment by Yas — November 13, 2009 @ 5:29 am
Yeah .. the video is kewl !! ..
and off topic… RD is the most updated rihanna fansite .. so why not !! .. :)
Comment by HaHa — November 13, 2009 @ 5:33 am
Sounds like anthony redeemed himself withsome of the fans. That great. He seems
to be the go to director for riri, and if she's comfortable with him, and glad he
rewards that confidence in him with dope videos. Can't wait til 10pm!!!!
Comment by maison martin margie — November 13, 2009 @ 5:34 am
=Dlulu♥♥♥
Comment by luly_aguanteriri — November 13, 2009 @ 5:40 am
where i look live stream ABC tomorow PLEASE LINK
Comment by rumored — November 13, 2009 @ 5:41 am
PLEASE LINK PLEASE
Comment by rumored — November 13, 2009 @ 5:42 am
Rihanna actaully doesn't die at the video, it's her partner that dies :S
Comment by Woahx3 — November 13, 2009 @ 5:44 am
i just saw the video its amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing
Comment by T — November 13, 2009 @ 5:45 am
Anthony is one of my favourite music video directors, but it get's kinda anoying that he directs every single Rihanna video these days :(
Comment by TK-75523 — November 13, 2009 @ 5:46 am
the video is already on the internet it premiered in Germany i think.
Comment by Rihanna Bihanna — November 13, 2009 @ 5:49 am
I like the video very much check it on this site!!!! http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/11/13/rihann…
Comment by Olivar — November 13, 2009 @ 5:54 am
WHATS THE LINK TO THE VIDEO PEOPLE??!!!!!
Comment by Marcel — November 13, 2009 @ 5:56 am
It's So Amazing! <3
I love the music video!
Comment by ElectroSkies) — November 13, 2009 @ 5:56 am
MAKE A VIDEO FOR G4L, LMAO!!!!! I WOULD PAY TO BE A CAMEO IN THAT ONE!
Comment by Yas — November 13, 2009 @ 6:02 am
http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/11/13/rihann… check out this site, there is the OFFICIAL russian roulette video!!!!!
Comment by olivar — November 13, 2009 @ 6:05 am
@ yas i know right! that like my fav. song right now!
Comment by Jerry — November 13, 2009 @ 6:39 am
I absolutely adore the video! Mandler shocked the heck outta me! BRAVO! *claps happily*
Comment by Smart — November 13, 2009 @ 6:51 am
rihanna looked so sad in the video (I guess u will say that was expected) i feel so sorry for her. i just downloaded the entire Rated R. she is so depress. I sincerely wish she could be w/ Chris but the powers that BE – def jam, jay z, her endorsements – cover girl, and the media ALL HAVE A FREAKING OPINION on who she should be with it.
Rihanna is not the VOICE of domestic violence because she was not abused. Her and Chris fought on a regular and they kissed and made up. the problem is that on that warm winter night in February it became public. When she called 911 she couldnt turn back. She was mad, emotional, and it probably never escalated to that point before. But she foolishly assumed she could go back to the way things were.
She said it on 20/20 she couldn't have everybody hating him. Well her cd Rated R should be called 808's & Heartbreaks because she is literally pouring her heart out to Chris. I feel sorry for her. She loves him and he loves her. They should have both sought counseling together. Her music is so depressing – COLD CASE LOVE explains everything how she feels. Another song – STUPID LOVE – she's mad about the text and wanting him back. Well RUSSIAN ROULETTE speaks for itself. This cd is very dark, not that its for grown ups but its a message to Chris & Chris only. It's a letter packaged into a cd for sale.
Def Jam should be ashamed of exploiting her for profit. I wish Rihanna well.
Comment by richyung — November 13, 2009 @ 8:23 am
RATED R LEAKED
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=235ef79c513ceb…
Comment by richyung — November 13, 2009 @ 8:31 am