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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Madonna
CrystalRaindrops — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 04:01 AM)
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Pop superstar Madonna has finally, officially released what stands as perhaps her most notorious music video: The controversial original clip for her 2003 single American Life.
The original cut of the video stands as one of the few times in her career Madonna’s backed down from controversy, nixing it days before it was due to be released amid negative press.
While the song itself was a wry look at Madonna’s own experiences of fame and success – complete with a divisive rap that listed all the members of her staff – the original video was instead a graphic commentary on the then-imminent American invasion of Iraq.
Shot weeks before the war began, the confronting Jonas Akerlund-directed video shows Madonna and her dancers in army fatigues, prepping backstage at a fashion show as out on the runway, soldiers walk the catwalk alongside victims of war.
An audience full of glamorous-looking fashion types watch on disinterestedly as the violence on the runway ramps up, blood and guts spilling everywhere. Soon, those images of pretend violence are intercut with vision of real victims of war until in the song’s climax, Madonna burst forth from backstage atop a camo-painted car, throwing a live grenade into the crowd as she mows down everyone in her path.
Had it been released, the video would surely have been banned or at least heavily censored by TV networks – there are numerous graphic depictions of violence, with dismembered and disembowelled victims laying on the runway.
But, in a rare capitulation to the outrage brewing from people who hadn’t even viewed the video yet, Madonna announced on April 1, 2003 that she’d decided it would never see the light of day.
“I have decided not to release my new video. It was filmed before the war started and I do not believe it is appropriate to air it at this time. Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video,” she said.
She later gave more context to her decision, explaining that, while she’d courted controversy before with music videos for hits like Justify My Love and Like A Prayer, she was now a mother and wanted to avoid the threats to her family that came with releasing such a video.
Instead, a bland replacement video was hastily cut together, showing Madonna singing in front of a green screen which showed the flags of various countries. It was the worst thing a Madonna video can be: Boring.
A commercial flop by Madonna’s standards upon its release, time has been kind to the song’s parent album, also called American Life. Its blend of folk and electronica is arguably the peak of her collaborations with Mirwais Ahmadzaï, and the album is regarded by many as among her very best.
Now, two decades later, Madonna’s finally officially released the original music video on her official YouTube channel to mark the album’s 20th anniversary. Until now, fans had only been able to watch it via unofficial uploads after it had leaked online. Check out the video as Madonna intended it to be seen, in all its 4k remastered glory, below - and a warning, it includes swearing and scenes of graphic violence.
But even this official recognition of the video omits one of its most controversial moments: In the closing seconds of one version of the clip, Madonna’s grenade is caught by a George W. Bush lookalike. The actor playing the president who would send the US to war with Iraq flips the top of the grenade – and lights a cigar with it, smiling.
(Link to pic of the GWB lookalike from the video:
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/8c2c353eb95aa239d1cd0d121d703645
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The version officially released to Madonna’s YouTube channel omits the George Bush lookalike, instead ending as the grenade flies through the air. -
CrystalRaindrops — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 04:37 AM)
Look, even Lilith has joined the "are you okay" club:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/p/21289616/permalink/#p21289616 -
WarrenPeace — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 05:37 AM)
"…out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video,” she said.
LOL!
She is afraid of offending soldiers who are the ones who inflict the harm and death on children and innocents, as the video shows, and wants to give the offenders a break who are the ones that create war which is the worst offense.
Also if there is a message of it being anti war it kinda gets lost.
She actually looks pro war with her wearing the military clothes.
I'm confused by this and it looks like she was too.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall -
WarrenPeace — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 05:46 AM)
I did watch and that is what my comments are based on, Barbie!
The restroom part was really weird.
And so was the part where they stop in a hallway just to dance.
Again, it's hard to tell if this is pro, anti war or just saying how it is.
It shows the horrors of war while also showing off soldiers.
I feel that it could have been done better or not so many quick cuts to show how soldiers are the problem.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall -
CrystalRaindrops — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 05:51 AM)
I did watch and that is what my comments are based on, Barbie!
Oh, lol. The references in the video to the horror of war were obviously antiwar, but yeah, there were some parts that didn't have an obvious message. I was thinking (especially near the end), "Why would she think anyone would want to watch this?" -
WarrenPeace — 2 years ago(April 28, 2023 05:53 AM)
"Why would she think anyone would want to watch this?"
LOL
Yeah, I would have been OK if this had stayed in the can and in the vault.
"Please vote to preserve the unique character of Warren…" - Robert Duvall
