Genesis — Illegal Alien (1983)

JUL 01 1983 · 12:00

Genesis — Illegal Alien (1983) (1983) Director: Stuart Orme Era: MTV Golden Age / New Pop (1983) - Peak of early MTV promotional video culture; major arena-rock acts pivoting to high-concept narrative videos as chart strategy High curatorial value as a documented flashpoint in the retrospective reassessment of 1980s rock music video for racial insensitivity. The video is simultaneously a pristine example of early-MTV theatrical narrative format directed by one of the era's most prolific British music video directors, and a culturally contested artifact that has been the subject of sustained critical scholarship. Its back-to-back production with 'Mama' on the same set further documents the economic and logistical realities of early 1980s UK promo production. Context: Released as the third single from Genesis's commercially dominant self-titled 1983 album — their greatest commercial success at the time, reaching No. 1 in the UK and selling over 4 million copies in the US — 'Illegal Alien' arrived at the height of the MTV-era promotional video boom. The song's lyrics were inspired by the band's own difficulties obtaining US visas while on tour and were intended as a satirical, sympathetic portrayal of immigrant hardship. However, both the song and its video — depicting the band in ponchos, sombreros, and caricature makeup — drew significant retrospective criticism for racial stereotyping. Blender listed it among the worst songs of all time in 2006, and critics across multiple publications called the video 'blatantly racist.' The video is thus a significant cultural artifact documenting the limits of 1980s mainstream rock's engagement with immigration as a comedic subject, and the era's tolerance for broad ethnic caricature in promotional media. Director notes: The 'Illegal Alien' video was directed by Stuart Orme and produced by Ruth Orme, with principal filming completed in 1983. It was filmed back-to-back with the 'Mama' video on the same film set. The video shows the three members of Genesis costumed as Mexican immigrants attempting to get their passports approved — with Collins wearing a sombrero, fake bushy mustache, toupee, and five-o'clock shadow makeup. Phil Collins considered it the best music video from the 1983 Genesis album. The video premiered on MTV in early 1984 and was later included in the 2004 Genesis compilation DVD The Video Show. It is also listed in The Video Show DVD tracklisting as directed by Stuart Orme, 1983. Orme directed a substantial body of Genesis promotional videos from 1980 to 1983, including 'Misunderstanding,' 'Duchess,' 'Follow You Follow Me,' 'Turn It On Again,' 'No Reply at All,' 'Keep It Dark,' 'Man on the Corner,' and 'Mama.'