WP Review Site Central

Rise or Fall

September 6th, 2010 | by admin |

1st Place in Ultimate Chakra’s AMV Contest #32: Tribute to Leaders
1st Place in kin2naruto’s AMV Contest #21: Remembrance
1st Place in That AZN Guy’s AMV Contest #6
2nd Place in SuichiKurama’s AMV Contest #2: Teamwork

“I think continually of those who were truly great –
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.”
-Stephen Spender

Note: This AMV is a tribute to our soldiers overseas and the sacrifices they have and will make for their country and the world.

AMVs for the Troops: http://www.youtube.com/group/TroopsAMVs

This video follows Fair-Use Rules and was only made for Artistic Expression; it is purely fan-made. This video is in no way associated with the musical artist or the anime company. All rights belong to their respective owners. Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 dictates that allowance is made for “fair-use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair-use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair-use.

The song ‘Rise’ (composed by Yoko Kanno and Tim Jensen, performed by Origa), the opening theme for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG, always struck me as the perfect song to describe the sacrifices soldiers of any nation have had to make in war (as well as being my favorite song from any GITS soundtrack). Typically I wouldn’t use a song from an anime with the same anime in an AMV (because it lacks imagination in song choice), but GITS is the only anime I feel is appropriate to use with this particular song. Besides that, GITS quite often deals with the subject of terrorism and its damaging effects on global society.

While ‘Rise’ does romanticize war a bit, the lyrics still ring true, especially in respect to America’s current relations with the Middle Eastern countries. Regardless of how any one person may feel about the morality and motives of the War on Terror, the fact still remains that citizens of our country risk their lives every day to keep us safe — and I think this song captures that sentiment well.

This is also probably going to be the first and last time I’ll be using both seasons of GITS: SAC and the movie, Solid State Society, all at once in a video. Most of the clips I chose were from the 2nd GIG, although I’d intended to heavily draw from the movie for this. Every clip was chosen for a reason, even if it might seem random in some places. Emotionally speaking I’m not so sure I hit the mark this time, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

I’d also like to dedicate this AMV to all of my subscribers and everyone who’s supported my videos over the past year — you guys make the time I spend on these worthwhile, and I deeply appreciate all the feedback. ^^ Thanks for giving me a great first year as a video editor.

Download link:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q96ZIMEK

I’m not certain why, but Origa uses both Russian and English in this song, so I’ve provided a translation for you further down. The original lyrics can be found at http://www.animelyrics.com.

English Translation:
I’m a soldier, meaning that I’m
Both the defendant and the judge
I’m standing on both sides of the fire
Going around turns, overtaking death and life
I’m running to fight with the shadow of a lie

No matter how many threads deception would weave
Truth will show its face of light

Chorus:
Save your tears
For the day
When the pain is far behind
On your feet
Come with me
We are soldiers, stand or die

Save your fears
Take your place
Save them for the judgement day
Fast and free
Follow me
Time to make the sacrifice
We rise or fall

I’m a soldier, born to stand
In this waking I am
Witnessing more than I can compute
Pray myself we don’t forget
Lies, betrayed and the oppressed
Please give me the strength to be the truth

People facing the fire together
If we don’t, we’ll lose all we have found

Repeat Chorus

After a dream to the edge of a chasm
Only that way can the world be saved

Don’t you cry
Hide the tears
Because a new day will start
Your fire
Will be heated
By thousands of hearts
But now get up
Hide the pain and fear far
The one who’s right will win
Know that everything is in your hands

Repeat Chorus

**Note: I do not own the rights to Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex or Origa’s song, ‘Rise’ — this video is purely made for fans of the anime by a fan of the anime, and no monetary gain was involved.**

THIS VIDEO IS PURELY FAN-MADE AND IS IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MUSICAL ARTIST OR ANIME COMPANY IN ANY WAY.

Duration : 0:4:47

Technorati Tags: Alone, amv, anime, Complex, Ghost, Inner, samuraizylle, Shell, stand, studios, Universe