David Bowie Instagram mini-series ‘Unbound’ episode 1: Review
Reviewing a 15-second video because that's the world we live in now
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Given the success of Netflix (at least in terms of cultural pervasiveness, their ratings remain a mystery), everyone is jumping on the original bandwagon. Bathroom cleaner Cif recently commissioned a 12-part series about a ragtag group of shower-dwelling germs, while Kellogg’s are rumoured to be looking into ways to hardwire LCD screens into the back of cereal boxes.
Earlier in the week, we learned that Instagram had produced a mini-series about David Bowie, apparently with the permission of the man himself. It promised to offer "visual interpretations of his songs, with no limits or preconditions on his part”.
The first episode dropped today, a 15-second video with nearly 30 credits:
Executive Producer: @InstaMiniSeries Director: @nikkiborges Music: @davidbowie Writer: @carolynncecilia Co-Producer: @lawrenceperyer Director of Photography: @joshuasterlingbragg Line Producer: @delaVega Associate Producer: @amandadelanuez, @itscecifernandez Production Designer: @LezGolden Costume Designer: @Bodilicious Hair / Make Up Artist: @missy_mua Miss Clarkson’s MakeUp Artist: @angdidmyhair VFX Production House: @heym1ster Dance Choreographer: @ofbonesdance, @hollyebynum Stunt Coordinator: @stuntmanpete Wire Rigger: @stuntworks Stunt Woman: @hellskitten29 Behind The Scenes: @a_madd Production Assistant: @clemencyforclem Special Thanks: @instalucas Final Cut: #dechesermedia Editor: Mike Ragone Creative Consultant: Michael Decheser Starring: @tavitulle, @rysak, @nikkiborges, Ching Valdes Anan, @amandadelanuez, @Jayknowlest, Jonah Herman
It simply consists of a slowly sweeping shot of a library, where characters of an indeterminate period chat, read books, do embroidery and drink red wine.
The only real Bowie reference is a book emblazoned with the Blackstar ★ logo, hamfistedly placed in the centre of the shot.
I really don’t know what they’re going for here. Bowie had eclectic tastes and loved innovation, but I’m not sure he would have been down with these opaque, protracted vignettes.
Maybe the second will be better and establish more tone or narrative, but right now the series (attracting “more than 300 likes”, the Guardian says, like that’s a lot) might struggle to maintain interest.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments