David Bowie Controversy: Catholic League Bashes Sinful 'The Next Day' Music Video Featuring Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard

The title track off of David Bowie's new album The Next Day now has a music video and some people are not that happy about it. In the video, which was "written and conceived" by Bowie, we see Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard join the singer as a religious figure and a not-so-religious figure (dancer, prostitute types character). Already stirring up controversy with the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, this music video explores religious concepts and pushes the envelope in only a way that David Bowie can do.  

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights released a statement, written by president Bill Donohue, condemning this music video. Here is an excerpt from the statement:

"David Bowie is back, but hopefully not for long. The switch-hitting, bisexual, senior citizen from London has resurface, this time playing a Jesus-like character who hangs out in a nightclub dump frequented by priests, cardinals and half-naked women.

"The video is strewn with characteristic excess: one priest bashes a homeless man, while others are busy hitting on women; self-flagellation is depicted; a dancing gal with bleeding hands make a stigmata statement; and a customer is served eyeballs on a plate. The lyrics refer to the 'priest stiff in hate' and 'women dressed as men for the pleasure of that priest.' The song concludes with, 'They can work with Satan while they dress with the saints.' In short, the video reflects the artist - it is a mess."

Check out the controversial music video for "The Next Day" by CLICKING HERE.

Here is a message from Bowie's website, which talks about the process of making this music video:

We're most proud to be able to confirm that the third video from David Bowie's hugely successful The Next Day album is the title track itself. There can't be many of you reading this that haven't seen low quality, snatched images from the video shoot, but here's the very first official still to be published anywhere on the planet. Pictured left to right are David Bowie and co-stars, Academy Award winning French actress, Marion Cotillard, and Academy Award nominee and BAFTA Award winner, English actor, filmmaker and musician Gary Oldman. Floria Sigismondi, the brilliant director of Little Wonder, Strangers When We Meet and the last Bowie video, The Stars (Are Out Tonight), was behind the camera again for The Next Day. Written and conceived by David Bowie, the film was created as a companion piece to the song lyric.