Music video Judas (Lady Gaga song)

1 music video

1.1 development
1.2 synopsis
1.3 reception

music video
development


—laurieann gibson talking development of video.

the music video judas filmed on april 2–3, 2011, , directed gaga , choreographer, laurieann gibson. following sunday, gaga had tweeted, directing judas video sister @boomkack exciting artistic moment of career. s greatest work ve done. day 2. stylist thierry mugler , creative director nicola formichetti announced on coming monday shooting video over. mtv, gibson explained idea behind video:

tell now, first off, m christian, , career evidence of god in life, , think people thinking gaga , blasphemy , re premeditating approach , think ll shocked find out how huge , groundbreaking message , how freeing message right reasons. , s going shock world.

the cast included norman reedus judas, while gaga played part of mary magdalene. gibson , gaga wanted make sure video s direction perfect—so directed themselves. gibson explained while working nick knight on music video born way , had felt ideas presented did not execute in way wanted. music video of judas , whole idea , inspiration clear enough. had approached director, dates did not work out him, gaga s manager asked , gibson direct video instead.

gibson said took moment before agreeing, had wrapped work on gaga s monster ball hbo special not resist in end. s phenomenal video: powerful, impactful. s such strong, committed artist. loyalty me forever grateful for. re spiritually connected. need each other ... , judas representation of our true bond, added. hollywood reporter, gibson explained within video created new jerusalem. shock value in video purposefully added, story oppression; , following 1 s heart , glory of being free. nme magazine gaga revealed video involved motorbikes , death sequence. described portrayal of character being beyond repentance , evolved continuous media accusations towards [she s] trashy. or pretentious or , that. [the video] way of saying ve crossed line, won t try repent. nor should . forgiveness , destiny played part in video, , gaga wanted portray federico fellini-esque story apostles being revolutionaries in modern-day jerusalem. led jesus, gaga magdalene. although reported premiered during episode of tenth season of american idol, music video premiered on may 5, 2011, on e! news @ 7 pm.

synopsis

the video opens motorcycle gang cruising down freeway, wearing studded leather jackets. motorcycle gang twelve apostles followed jesus, including judas. gaga mary magdalene clutches onto jesus-like figure (rick gonzalez) wears golden crown of thorns. among riders judas (norman reedus), crosses gaga s bike looks meaningfully towards him. gang passes under flyover, when song starts. reach rustic hideout called electric chapel gaga dances wearing red sarong , bikini top crosses covering nipples. gaga s character watches curiously wily judas enters biker club , gets involved in brawl. while trying protect jesus fights attempts warn him apostle s impending betrayal, becomes hypnotized judas allure. storyline interspersed choreographed dance sequences , close-ups of gaga stark imagery, including artistic eye make-up, compared egyptian eye of horus. flowing blonde hair accented red bandana, blue leather top , puffy white dress in different parts of clip. blue top worn gaga displays sacred heart , depiction of jesus said have revealed symbol of love humanity. during second verses, gaga points towards peter during line build house , , towards herself during or sink dead body .

after second chorus, in climatic sequence, singer holds gun judas mouth, , stick of red lipstick bursts out , smears lips. scene portrays gaga s choice refuse shoot judas through heart. breakdown ends, music stops , gaga seen in bathtub jesus , judas, washing feet , cleaning hair. sequence interspersed gaga standing lonely on rock waves engulf her, scene being reminiscent of artist sandro botticelli s birth of venus , jesus marching towards fatal destiny. music restarts , judas shown pouring beer in bathtub. next jesus shown standing on stage, surrounded supporters, setting being inspired scaffoldings present around newly constructed buildings in new york. gaga kneels in front of jesus , tries explain him, places palm on head judas looks on. after judas delivers fateful kiss upon jesus cheeks, marking him death, gaga falls on ground silent, anguished cry. video ends death of neither judas nor jesus, of gaga s stoned death crowd.

reception

gaga s eye make-up compared egyptian eye of horus.

before release, catholic league s president william anthony donohue criticized music video portrayal of gaga mary magdalene. spoke exclusively hollywoodlife.com gaga s focus on judas , mary magdalene, calling increasingly irrelevant compared people real talent , , attacked seemingly purposefully debuting song , video close holy week , easter. gaga noted in interview e! video not meant cause controversy in way, jokingly adding controversial thing video m wearing christian lacroix , chanel in same frame. video not meant attack on religion. respect , love s beliefs. m religious , spiritual person s obsessed religious art. m obsessed it. after release, catholic league released further statement stating:

in judas video, lady gaga plays fast , loose catholic iconography, , generates several untoward statements, typically dances on line without going on it. faux-baptismal scene curious inclusion, apparent fondness jesus character. if thinks catholic league going go ballistic on lady gaga s latest contribution, haven t clue constitutes anti-catholicism. video mess, incoherent, leaves viewer more perplexed moved.

jason lipshutz billboard described motorcycle mayhem meets biblical betrayal. mtv news james montogomery called video pure pop clip, albeit 1 looks great , sure earn ire of few folks on religious right. added judas is, @ sacred heart, artistic explosion contained within confines of traditional pop clip. christian blauvelt entertainment weekly did not video @ first, calling weakest effort date , attributing gibson s choreography , literal storyline. however, admitted after watching video few times, became fond of it. tris mccall star-ledger felt there neither blasphemous video, nor daring it. mccall explained dancing in video pleasure watch , have been better if camera work more professional. according him, eye-catching prop in video gun turned lipstick. matthew perpetua rolling stone video offend christians irreverent , highly sexualized take on jesus christ; said gaga interpreted biblical story in own style. oscar moralde slant magazine complimented production of video calling visually stunning , while adding judas work of repertory, not revolutionary. takes familiar swatches gaga s palette (the leather-and-chain aesthetic of telephone ; plaintive, tear-stained camera stare of bad romance ) , puts them competently executed work. phil fox rose, while reviewing video washington post, gave positive review stating found moving, both artistically , spiritually. went on explain how religion related accusations against gaga biased. vh1 found video inspired madonna s prayer , films our lady of assassins, wild angels , romeo + juliet, , american television series lost. nme named judas fourth worst music video ever, describing attempt jump on madonna/catholicism bandwagon incredibly misjudged s quite comical.

laurieann gibson s choreography song used in music video received positively. video nominated best choreography @ 2011 mtv video music awards. gaga s fan bases hailed choreography many videos of them interpreting choreography on youtube. 1 notable video of 2 australian boys jesse , jermaine d vauz dancing choreography in bedroom, posted gaga on twitter page in may 2011. gaga tweeted: judas choreography 2 sexy boys! swoon! why love fans, don t skip beat.

at 2011 muchmusic video awards, gaga won best international artist video award judas . song s music video received 2 nominations @ 2011 mtv video music awards, in categories of best choreography , best art direction; however, video won neither @ award show, losing beyoncé knowles run world (girls) in best choreography, , adele s rolling in deep in best art direction.