YouTube removed David Bowie video over offensive religious imagery

Written by James Delahunty @ 09 May 2013 1:01 User comments (9)

YouTube removed David Bowie's latest music video over "graphic content" that consisted of religious imagery, before admitting it was in error and reinstating it.

The Next Day is the latest video from Bowie from his comeback album of the same name. It features Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard - the latter appearing to bleed from Stigmata wounds. The video had been removed from YouTube initially over its apparent "graphic content", but was later restored.

"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said.

The video is set in a basement bar occupied by religious figures, and shows a priest (Gary Oldman) fighting and then dancing with a prostitute.

Tags: YouTube

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19.5.2013 13:04

KillerBug

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Quote:
"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said.

...So long as it is a major figure backing the video and they have reason to fear backlash...but when it is a small artist who posts their own video, their account gets banned for copyright infringement on their own content.

210.5.2013 02:05

Jemborg

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Originally posted by KillerBug:

Quote:
"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said.
...So long as it is a major figure backing the video and they have reason to fear backlash...but when it is a small artist who posts their own video, their account gets banned for copyright infringement on their own content.

YouTube don't even take into account "Fair Use".

310.5.2013 21:25

DarthMopar

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Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD.

411.5.2013 08:50

Jemborg

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Originally posted by DarthMopar:
Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD.

I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think.

511.5.2013 08:59

DarthMopar

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Originally posted by Jemborg:

Originally posted by DarthMopar:
Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD.
I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think.

How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life. To each their own, though.

611.5.2013 10:05

Interestx

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Bowie is an artist and like all decent artists he will provoke like & dislike....and so long as it's not a response of outright indifference I imagine he regards that as having achieved his aim as an artist.

Like the song (the lyrics are worth looking up & taking in if you're not sure you've got them from hearing it).

As for those moaning about it?

Get a life.

711.5.2013 10:08

Interestx

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Originally posted by DarthMopar:
How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life.

...or so we are told & led to believe.
Fear does many starange things I guess.

Mind you, Christopher Hitchens is another high-profile atheist who stayed true to his principles despite a ghastly cancer death.

811.5.2013 10:34

Jemborg

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@ Interestix

Yeah, the lyrics do line up with the video.

And the church/nightclub lol

------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 11 May 2013 @ 10:34

911.5.2013 10:40

Jemborg

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Originally posted by DarthMopar:

Originally posted by Jemborg:

Originally posted by DarthMopar:
Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD.
I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think.
How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life. To each their own, though.

I've certainly become more strident myself as I've gotten older. But what I'm suggesting is that he doesn't care about offending potential fans/customers with his own beliefs. He's made it... he can say what he likes.

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YouTube removed David Bowie video over offensive religious imagery

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