(Video) Madonna’s Call For Revolution, Success Or A Joke?

Madonna has officially begun her revolution, the question is if anyone will join.

With the debut of the short film “secretprojectrevolution,” co-directed by the singer and photographer Steven Klein, Madonna is looking to ignite people to wake up and smell today’s social injustice. The film’s debut also marks the start of #ArtForFreedom, an online global platform where anyone can submit art in response to: “What does freedom mean to you?”

“I hope my film and other submissions to Art For Freedom will be a call-to-action and give people a place to voice their own creative expression to help fight oppression, intolerance and complacency,” the singer explained on the project’s site.

[youtube id=”uXfXrl4K2D4″]

The 17 minute black-and-white clip starts with Madonna behind bars while in a stream-of-consciousness-like voice she tells of economic collapse, suffering, fear and intolerance.

Through a macabre yet artistically beautiful display of dance and performance art the film attempts to highlight today’s mistreatment of humans and of our civil rights. This point is strongly emphasized as Madonna walks around with a gun killing (perhaps silencing) the dancers one by one; by the various performance scenes of human torture; and by the sinister ending where she gets dragged into jail by policemen while she sings “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.”

As visually impacting as the short is I can’t help but wonder if it actually gets the intended message across. And if it does, will it or has it already began to obtain the desired results?

I think the message can get across, but it’s a must to watch the video more than once. There is so much commentary and imagery that one needs to analyze it several times to understand it overall and at the same time appreciate its beauty.

In terms results, in the video the singer states: “I want to start a revolution, are you with me?” and I think people are definitely getting on board. On social media fans have started to talk about the project and many have contributed to #ArtForLove. Judging from posts on Instagram, it’s easy to see that people are grasping the idea of using art to speak about society’s problems, although, I feel, there are also those who just missed the point.

Like this guy for example. #beard #fashion?

Thankfully the following examples are great attempts at #ArtForFreedom, and leave me feeling hopeful for future art.

by @gabrioles

by @dimas_2195 “Liberty is doing what you want, when you want to, and without fear of what others might think.”

@thaoanlima

by @maximogottass

by @sk1tz

by @freedomlover88

In the end, I don’t think the short film or the online platform will start a revolution 1960’s style, nonetheless, it is powerful enough to inspire amazing art that perhaps will then inspire someone to act against injustice, even if at a minimal level.

Share your thoughts with us. Will you join Madonna’s revolution or do think that her dark video and idea was a waste of time?