USA: CONTROVERSIAL NEW VIDEO FOR MADONNA'S NEW SINGLE 'AMERICAN LIFE' PULLS FROM RELEASE "OUT OF SENSITIVITY AND RESPECT TO THE ARMED FORCES" IN IRAQ

Record ID: 499131

  • Title: USA: CONTROVERSIAL NEW VIDEO FOR MADONNA'S NEW SINGLE 'AMERICAN LIFE' PULLS FROM RELEASE "OUT OF SENSITIVITY AND RESPECT TO THE ARMED FORCES" IN IRAQ
  • Date: 1st April 2003
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (APRIL 01, 2003) (REUTERS) SCU SOUNDBITE (English) CONNIFF SAYING "Well I mean, Madonna has never been appropriate in pretty much anything she's ever done and certainly the first thing she's going to attack are things that people think are inappropriate which would be for example the military in a music video and in this particular i
  • Embargoed: 16th April 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA9CALKDCZOORFUARQNA1XIMZWQ
  • Story Text: The controversial new video for Madonna's new single "American Life" has been pulled from release "out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces." However, she is not the only American artist affected by the war in Iraq as the artistic community, and the commercial interests behind, are similarly worried about the image they portray to the public.
    Known for her marketing prowess as well as her controversial music videos, the 44-year old Madonna caused "shock and awe" of a different kind when the contents of her latest video creation were partially unveiled. Famous for images that feature issues such as sexuality, interracial relationships and religious symbols, Madonna's latest video, "American Life", looked set to continue the pattern.
    "American Life" is an anti-war song full of American military references. It was due for worldwide release this week but at the last minute, Madonna has decided not to release it. In a written statement, Madonna says the video was filmed before the Iraq War started, and she was blocking its release because she did not wish to offend anyone who might misinterpret its meaning. Madonna says she respects the armed forces and prays for their safety.
    The four and a half minute masterpiece, which has yet to air in its entirety, reportedly shows the uglier aspect of American culture including overweight dancers, war related imagery, sports utility vehicles and models wearing military fatigues, army helmets and gas masks at a fashion show. But it was the scene showing Madonna tossing a grenade at a George Bush lookalike - who uses the grenade to light a cigar - that caused the most uproar.
    Cynics have dismissed the move as yet another Madonna-style marketing stunt, but others say that although Madonna has gone to extremes for publicity in the past "in this instance she genuinely doesn't want it released because of her support for the troops," says Tamara Allegra Conniff, music editor for the entertainment publication, The Hollywood Reporter.
    But Madonna is not the only artist sensitive to the mood and perceptions of the American public about the war in Iraq.
    Country music trio, The Dixie Chicks saw a huge drop in sales and a boycott of their music following lead singer Natalie Maines' attack on President Bush, a fellow Texan. She's since apologized.
    Academy Award winner Michael Moore, known for his Oscar winning documentaries as well as his active dislike of the Bush Administration, was quickly and loudly booed off stage by members of the Academy after he yelled that U.S. President George W. Bush was a "fictitious president" during his Oscar speech.
    According to some critics, it might not matter how controversial the comments or video are. Patriotic, pro-peace or anti-war, if the fans like the music, they'll buy it anyway.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register