David Bowie is being targeted by critics for the religious imagery that dominates his newest video for the title track on his album The Next Day. The video was also missing on YouTube, although it has returned.
The video for “The Next Day” was released yesterday and it features Gary Oldman as a drunk priest and Marion Cotillard dressed as a harlot. The two share a sensuous dance while Bowie, dressed in robes, is singing behind them. When blood starts pouring out of Cotillard’s hands, Oldman yells at Bowie, “You see this? This is your doing!” Then, patrons start flogging Bowie. At the end of the video, the singer stands in a Jesus pose with light shining in from the ceiling.
It disappeared from YouTube for a short time, but YouTube spokeswoman Abbi Tatton told E! News that this was a mistake. It was reposted with an “Explicit” warning.
According to The Telegraph, the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey slammed the video. “Frankly, I don't get offended by such juvenilia - Christians should have the courage to rise above offensive language although I hope Bowie will recognise that he may be upsetting some people,” Lord Carey said, adding that “I doubt that Bowie would have the courage to use Islamic imagery.”
The Catholic League also criticized the iconic singer for the video. “David Bowie is back, but hopefully not for long,” the group wrote. “The switch-hitting, bisexual, senior citizen from London has resurfaced, this time playing a Jesus-like character who hangs out in a nightclub dump frequented by priests, cardinals and half-naked women.”
The Next Day is Bowie’s first album since 2003. The video was directed by Floria Sigismondi.
image: screenshot