Madonna - American Life

What this video is

Released March 31, 2003 — mere days after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began on March 20 — the 'American Life' video arrived at a moment of acute cultural polarization in America. Conceived during the pre-war buildup, it used a satirical war-themed high-fashion runway to critique the Bush administration, materialism, the American Dream, and the complicity of celebrity culture. Its withdrawal on April 1, 2003 — one…

Why it matters

A landmark example of concept-driven pop music video as political essay, 'American Life' extended the late-1990s auteur music video tradition (Madonna–Åkerlund's 'Ray of Light,' 'Music') into overt sociopolitical territory. It anticipated the convergence of fashion editorial and war imagery that…

The director

Born 10 November 1965 in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. Former drummer for Swedish black metal band Bathory (1983–84). Debuted as music video director with Candlemass' 'Bewitched'; became primary director for Roxette in early 1990s. Rose to global prominence…