How Madonna References Classic Films

[@LucasLima-ou3sz]

Madonna putting information about aids in Like A Prayer was such a powerfull and legendary statement and move

[@ericplunder2744]

And the patchouli fragrance on my album cover is still present 30 years later..

[@dalee72]

@@ericplunder2744 That's amazing! I wish that I still have my CD with the long box that had the scent. Maybe I'll find and get another sealed copy with the scent one day.

[@Indianinthemachine]

Actually no... AIDS was manufactured as bioweapon.

[@Paddrique]

@@Indianinthemachine no matter what whacky stuff you believe about the origins, how is awareness about safe sex not a power move since still no one was talking about it or sexual health in general

[@Indianinthemachine]

@@Paddrique If you don't have the truth, you don't have awareness. Look at how she jumped on covid, and that's not what we are told either.

[@o4ka47]

It's just fascinating how everything she did was so deliberate, so well thought out - every song, every music video, every outfit and image. She is a true artist.

[@o4ka47]

@ My mom made it last Christmas and I thought it was so very cute. both the wreath and how proud she was of it.

[@Indianinthemachine]

MK Ultra... not artistry.

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

Indianinthemachine the MK Ultra comment on every celebrity and entertainment industry video was tired a long long time ago.

[@Indianinthemachine]

@@EastSide-qc5oy You only speak for your self, not the entire industry... Britney has lots to say about MK Ultra. :)

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

Indianinthemachine Oh really? When you had lunch with Britney yesterday she had lots to say? Whatever, clown.

[@selectedshipper8282]

“The difference between Madonna and her book is that her book wears a cover and she doesn’t” You can tell she spent all day thinking of that one

[@JadeReloaded]

Or had her pastor/parent tell her to say that.

[@shadowmaster1313]

I've heard jokes told that way before, like repetition has stuck all the fun out a long time ago

[@Skyblockenjoyerrrrrr]

She looked so proud of herself too.

[@suavemsuavemente]

She props had rehearsals held at the church with other 'activists' shanting shit to repel the ungodly demon seed that was Madonna

[@MO-ir7bt]

She's probably still a virgin.

[@ericplunder2744]

Madonna took a stand about AIDS at a time when many were too frightened that doing so may cost them their career. That shouldn't be forgotten.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

@@s.briton7069 uf

[@naurking5388]

The funny part is that princess Diana made headlines and got praised for shaking hands with ppl that had AIDS in late 80s, but Madonna had already do this, yet they always blame Madonna for taking advantage of things to sell..

[@cats011]

She did it when the President of USA and the British Prime Minister (Reagan and Thatcher) wouldn’t even acknowledge its existence, refused to say the words AIDS/HIV

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Oh, it got deleted...

[@flazeda8743]

Elizabeth Taylor started big celebs fighting AIDS and Madonna was early indeed.

[@JacobW567]

"Be Kind Rewind" one of the very few BEST channels on KZbin. FULL STOP.

[@fabiobrand539]

Madonna is a living legend. She shaped show business and how to express yourself. 👸🏼❤️‍🔥

[@roncerod]

Watch out for June 24th. There is something coming up from the Queen of Pop.

[@divalicious4888]

Pun intended.

[@djpeterabreu]

I knew I'd find you here

[@fabiobrand539]

@@djpeterabreu tá aparecendo esses vídeos agora pra mim no KZbin, aí eu sou obrigado a comentar os fatos. 😂

[@michaelcoyle487]

Now I understand why Veronica Sawyer wore a monocle in "Heathers!"

[@Ma_Ba]

Besides film, there were also lesbian artists and authors in drag with some monocles. The focus was on film here, but I want to see where Marlene and the Weimar era monocle was in the chronology. Which influenced which? This was 1924, by Romaine Brooks titled "Una, Lady Troubridge" from a Smithsonian exhibit and digital link americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/brooks

[@reikun86]

And here I thought monocles were used to symbolize old bougee men like The Monopoly Guy

[@reikun86]

@@christopherangell3966 Heathers is one my favorite Winona Ryder movies.

[@crispyorsmthnidk5314]

A+ content. She has never gotten credit for the intelligence that goes into her references and scandal.

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

Yeah. She almost never gets the kind of credit she deserves for being incredibly intelligent, and very, very cultured. For me, the biggest shame about her career for the last ten or fifteen years is that she used have really interesting collaborators, who she usually worked with before they got huge. Nowadays she seems to be playing catchup, and it feels very, "So this is why you kids are into these days?" (Admittedly, her last album did feel like a bit of a return to form.)

[@SeanNessman]

@@Bunny-ch2ul I like Madame X too. Love when she's so unbothered with trends

[@yeahiagree1070]

@@Bunny-ch2ul Her most recent album was extremely weird. A lot of it was BAD - but experimental. Props to her for not just releasing endless compilation albums like others/

[@superamanda]

This is all plagiarism. She’s not a home girl either.

[@tonyfernando1690]

@@superamanda you should elaborate that, after watching over 30 minutes of a video that says othetwise. But you obviously can't, right?

[@catsrule1343]

I agree that videos like Justify My Love, WAP, or Montero aren't appropriate for kids, but it's up to the parents to monitor what their kids watch, not the artists to censor their work.

[@cigarettearms5992]

Yeah especially in the age of the internet, if your child has access to WAP they probably have access pornography or graphic violence, there are so many more important things parents should be concerned with.

[@_ma1]

As Eminem said once: "if you are the parent, then YOU do the parenting"

[@reikun86]

I’m so tired of people freaking out over the portrayal of Satan in Montero (Call me by Your Name.) He vanquished the devil in the end. I don’t think a lot of these people watched that far into the video.

[@Udontkno7]

@@reikun86 To be fair, he did take his place as Satan, so it’s not much better. But it’s a fun video.

[@rickardkaufman3988]

@@cigarettearms5992 Fun fact: WAP was originally an acronym for Women Against Pornography.

[@kingc1468]

Her musical and cultural impact are far bigger than people understand. She has changed the world !

[@TheLilyMustang]

I didn’t really grow up listening to Madonna & unfortunately I took that take of her only doing things to sell. I thought she was just a package item from the music industry and I feel like a moron now. I pride myself and making my own decisions by reaching thing for myself. Thank you for making this video as a starting point for me learning more about her. The putting info in her CD’s is amazing and inspiring. She did care cause she wanted people to look and learn.

[@beatnikrn2945]

Don’t feel like a moron. I think there were many critics who pushed that narrative, that she was a sell out, Material Girl. And the articles written about her from late 92 - 95-ish were quite vicious in a way you don’t see as much now. It’s like she had to have a baby for people to forgive her. Makes no sense to me. Welcome to the fan club!!

[@maiph05]

Congrats for making room for myth busting and welcome to the party! She is right up there with the artistic greats of the last 30 years: Haring, Cindy Sherman, Bowie etc

[@maiph05]

@@TheDinoKitteh why? art and commerce have been married time and time again for centuries…commerce doesn’t cancel out messaging and the power of normalizing stigmas thru art.

[@cinemaocd1752]

Go back and watch the videos. They are all so classic and the songs are bops. I grew up with Madonna and I always enjoyed the videos, especially when I started to watch classic films. My favorites are Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, Open Your Heart and Material Girl. Madonna gets a lot of criticism for profiting from Vogue and not crediting Paris is Burning which was certainly an influence, but Paris is Burning got more theatrical releases AFTER the video came out and the song was number one for an entire summer.

[@dadcelo]

I grew up with very little Madonna but as an adult started going back and became a fan. She was such a groundbreaker at the time. Amazing

[@iAvrilFan1]

Madonna is not a singer, she's an artist. I became a fan and started exploring her discography in 2015! She is truly a revolutionary and changed society and made cultural impact all over the globe.

[@Rosannasfriend]

She always said she was just a woman who had something to say. Yes, it wasn’t about being a singer.

[@guillermodebaskerville7117]

She's a singer AND and artist. But yeah, she codified the idea of a pop star being more than a singer, using other arts as an extension of her music. I said codified but, while Kate Bush already did it when Madonna hasn't released her album debut yet, Bush was never a pop star, to the same levels than Madonna at least, so she couldn't reach as many people as she did. That doesn't mean that one is better than the other, only that they pioneer the same in different ways.

[@angel_jojo]

Your comment has really captured why I have always found Madonna so captivating - I like her music in general, and love a lot of it too, but the artistry she possesses is beyond her musical output. Her persona(s) and political activism resonate so deeply with me as a queer person, and I feel like pop culture and society in general owe a lot to her fearlessness and tenacity.

[@tamarleahh.2150]

She can't really sing but she is an artist.

[@jluebs]

@@tamarleahh.2150 are you kidding? kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6rOgqV7gL6sm5o

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

As a priest in the Church of the Algorithm, I bless this video with a comment.

[@nefelitsakiridi]

As a loyal believer to the almighty Algorithm, I offer this reply as a sacrifice

[@scpatl4now]

@@nefelitsakiridi Algorithm be damned...it's just a good video

[@nefelitsakiridi]

@@scpatl4now how dare thy insult the algorithm? You will curse the day you caused its wrath

[@scpatl4now]

@@nefelitsakiridi I fear not the algorithm...it's the AI that we should worship at the alter of...

[@martijnkeisers5900]

Interesting to see how different the perception was here in the Netherlands, i hardly recall any controversy.

[@abdinazemian]

This is incredible and demands a part 2 analyzing the latter half of her work

[@superamanda]

There are too many rip offs to count. It’s all plagiarism. Including the six or seven times she paid out in court for ripping off other peoples work.

[@santiagodisalvo7025]

THIS!!!!!

[@moonbeam7210]

@@superamanda you wish

[@bonone777]

@@superamanda reference means paying the homage

[@superamanda]

@@bonone777 So almost 35 years of ripping off and copying the same person for live appearances, concerts, photoshoots, videos etc It's not called "reference" that's called a rip off. Every single thing that the material mange has done has been a rip off of something else

[@renegadecut9875]

This is fantastic.

[@Chelaxim]

Hey Renegade 👋🏾

[@richardomahony8865]

Then you'll love this: www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/youmustrememberthispodcastblog/madonna-from-sean-penn-to-warren-beatty-part-1

[@hiptowaist]

Yeah all the plagiarism and copy pasting is one place and then it’s made for ultra white audience to feel good about

[@videodromeTVversion]

@@hiptowaist "is one place" = how / what does that mean? Is one thing? In one place?

[@ihateberwald]

“All the shit was related” THE CATHARSIS

[@musiqueguy1]

I think every generation has a gay icon (I love Judy, Streisand, and Gaga too) in the queer community and Madonna was mine. Growing up in the rural ultra conservative south there wasn't much culture, gay or straight, to experience. I was on my own but somehow I still managed to find it. Back when renting movies from a store was still a thing, one of the local mom & pop video stores had Truth or Dare on VHS. I probably rented it a hundred times before making that hour road trip to the closest shopping mall to buy the video along with Justify My Love - also on VHS. When MTV banned her music video she just released it as a video single instead. Although I wasn't lucky enough to buy a copy of her SEX book, I met someone who did have a copy of it and I was blown away. It sounds silly today but I thought to myself, "these are my people!" It was incredibly powerful (empowering?) to see queerness being represented. Even at 15 it meant so much more to me than the acts of sex. These days you can easily find a copy of the book in pdf format online if one is interested. *wink wink nudge* So, yeah Madge is the Queen to me.

[@tigerlillysbookcorner4492]

*ehem* where can one get a link to the Sex book since I have dying to somehow get my hands on that book for about three years! I even wrote about it in a college essay

[@tinan2179]

And after MADONNA 👑, the Queen of Pop, let’s remember that KYLIE 👑(Minogue) never surrendered her Princess status...!! Look her up. Neither has the other Pop Princess, BRITNEY 👑(Spears).

[@maxsimgue9764]

The day I saw Like a Prayer, probably in diapers, changed my life for the best ever after.

[@alisha_1972]

I FULL ON GASPED WHEN I SAW THIS SHE’S BACK EVERYBODY IT’S GONNA BE OK

[@pinche.dieguito]

Saaaaaaaaaaame

[@samarameer1692]

Same I was binge watching her videos

[@calcutta1642]

Posting this DURING PRIDE MONTH 🥰🏳️‍🌈 younger gays really need to sit back and take a lesson before they dismiss Madonna for her age...

[@snsrml]

Periodt! She has been a strong ally waay longer than the young gays have been bottoming

[@niamhl6964]

As someone who knows next to nothing about Madonna (I'm 21 and obviously quite uncultured) this video was such an interesting and wonderful watch!! I knew Madonna is iconic, but learning about her clever referencing, her activism, and her art makes me want to learn more

[@thebeardedseeker5633]

having grown up in a world where Madonna was basically queen of the universe it's so strange to me that there's now a generation out there who aren't that familiar with her.

[@niamhl6964]

@@thebeardedseeker5633 a contributing factor might be that I'm not American, I'm Irish and have lived in Ireland all my life, so she's not as much of a cultural icon here, like she is in America. But I really should listen to more of her music considering my love of modern pop

[@segamai]

I wish I could recommend a starter album, but honestly they are mostly all fantastic and I’d be hard-pressed to name the “best” one. My personal favorites are Ray of Light, Confessions on a Dance Floor and Bedtime Stories, and all three are conpletely different universes (respectively: revolutionary spiritual electronica, a seamless string of complete dance bangers and a sensual foray into r&b). I’m curious what you’ll think!

[@josephbrillantes31]

you're 21... it's okay to not know everything

[@Royithox]

I’m 21 too but i’ve been a fan since 2012 lol i recommend her whole discography bc it’s a masterpiece but MOSTLY like a prayer, erotica, ray of light and her most recent one “madame x” which is VERY underrated

[@lucasgardner3012]

Even to this day, I think Madonna inspires such vitriol that you don’t see towards many celebrities/pop stars. And to think she’s endured it since the beginning. Thank you for such a well researched video that highlights her risk taking and artistry.

[@SeanAlfred1]

Thank you… I have been defending Madonna for close to 40 years to family and friends. This explanation of her artistic choices is the BEST analysis of what she been trying to accomplish as a woman, artist and human being I have ever seen. Thank you for being one of the few people that has given her work the deeper analysis it deserves and explaining it in a way that is easily understood. Finally I have something I can share that explains the impact Madonna has had on our culture and why she deserves credit for many of the freedoms some of us take for granted today. She fought battles alone and kept moving forward giving voice to so many people that didn’t have one. Great work, I’m looking forward to seeing an even deeper dive should you find time to continue looking at her career.

[@bigneon_glitter]

Man...that was a densely packed, thoroughly fascinating, & beautifully articulated thesis that almost singlehandedly revitalizes Madonna's relevance in every way. And it's interesting how - like Springsteen's "Born In The USA" - the intended subtextual critique in "Material Girl" was not only lost on the public but appropriated as a Reagan-era _anthem._

[@ChristopherSmith-il6fo]

This is why I'm glad that although I'm not a fan of hers I know she is G.O.A.T. and an icon for what she has done and is doing.

[@cecelove6043]

Not a fan

[@nickgreatpwrful5754]

Madonna is such a fucking legend, and she's so sadly overlooked. We are so blessed to still have her with us, as sadly many of her peers are no longer here. As usual - sadly no one's going to realize the impact she's had until she's gone.

[@maxsimgue9764]

I wonder if it isn't that she's overlooked but that she's bored...and that's why nothing shocks us anymore.

[@maja5490]

Shes over

[@sshoegirl30004]

A true artist. An okay singer. Just my opinion.

[@brettmastema7056]

No disrespect. But you have poor taste. You may want to fix that.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Think about the fact that Prince, Michael Jackson and Madonna were born in the same year: 1958. Madonna 's 80s hits are still being played. I hear them in the most random situations. I never hear anything from MJ and Prince( who really was a genius) now.

[@js7dragon]

I was about to eat dinner, then I realized BKR’s video would be more edible.

[@chocolatesouljah]

I was thinkin' similar. Clockin' in at 36 minutes should I make popcorn. Naahh! Be Kind Rewind is all the butta I need.

[@jeebsunabia7972]

As a kid growing up in the 80's and 90's - I agree - Madonna's in-your-face sexuality was an upfront against the pervasive and oppressive gender views of the time. I live and breathed in the Church of Madonna! And still do!

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

You articulately detailed in 36 minutes throughout this video why I recommend Madonna as the greatest visual artist in pop music history. When she’s referencing the golden age of Hollywood classics films and stars, she isn’t just doing to get some pop culture reference cred, she’s actually expressing artistically her thoughts and stories of womanhood and sexuality, it sometimes felt like she was taking up for the women of those era who weren’t able to take control fully of their careers and talent (especially in the time of the studio system era) and using a new generation approach to female entertainers in success and power to hold a torch. Growing up as a early Gen Z member I was already developing into a golden age Hollywood stan and also developing into a Madonna stan by watching her classic videos from the 80s/90s was a double edge sword for me picking the references I knew and then discovering the films she referenced that I wasn’t aware of, was like doing easter egg games

[@charlesvanness1021]

I was outside having patio drinks with my best friend and a notification popped up for this video and I screamed “oh no she didn’t, bitch!” And my friend assumed something bad happened but I quickly let her know that this is the best thing ever! My favorite KZbin channel made a video about my favorite artist of all time 🤯 Love her or hate her, doesn’t matter, the impact she’s made on the world for our queer community is everything. Respect for the woman who stood up for us when she had nothing to gain, always.

[@isz99]

My sentiment exactly!

[@ada2m806]

in a society that still misunderstands madonnas msg about sexuality especially NOW as shes older... this video reminds me of the struggles she bravely faced and the conversations she forces us to make. we are talking about it... therefore, we are on our way to dealing with it. she's a genius and arguably one of the most important artist of all time. i love your videos. so thought-provoking and always soooo well-made.

[@DevaNeeramanii]

That's why she's THE Goddess of PoP! It would be great if you did more vids along this line and concept of Classic Film references in music and art.

[@ayindestevens6152]

Madonna GOES there and we’re just now catching up.

[@Zizibello]

This is by far not only your best video, but perhaps one of the most eloquent and intelligent videos about Madonna herself! Thank you! You deserve a medal!!

[@miguelmonteiro5343]

I've gotta say, I was not such a fan of Madonna. Your video made me see her in a whole new light, and now I'm listening to her classics.

[@MrHsauvageau]

even the non single are sometimes epic...

[@helgafever768]

Madonna invented the female pop 💅

[@sebastianocostantino1]

I wonder how one may not be a fan. She's done so many different things that every single person on the planet will find something to love in her production. She has the highest number of hits in history and she is the highest solo live performer ever. She has written and produced an incredible amount of masterpieces, and her ballads are even better than her amazing dance songs. There must be a reason why she is #4 music artist after the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. I love the fact you started getting to know her. Respect.

[@segamai]

Remember also that this woman is completely self-made. From SCRATCH. What she achieved is truly mind-boggling. She owns her entire catalogue, she started so small and then grew to absolutely incomprehensible levels of fame, and this by doing the *opposite* of what was acceptable each and every time. As a woman. And people are already either writing her off or ignoring her achievements because she’s past sixty, when she’s still as busy as ever and her latest album garnered massive critical praise despite getting very little airtime because radio stations refuse to play her. I am and will always be a stan.

[@Nikki-tx6kh]

Well, in my opinion, she's an icon and she deserved and worked for everything she has earned on her life and career, but it's also true that she's not who she was 20-25 years ago. There's been two generations since the 80s with their own artists, particular styles and icons and even if she has managed to stay on the top tier, you can see her been less relevant/ loved by the new generations.

[@yeahiagree1070]

@@Nikki-tx6kh 25 years ago? She staged 2 major comebacks since then haha. She was among the biggest pop stars on the planet till around 2009.. That was ended by the extended break she took to try directing a (mediocre) film. She has never returned to what she was, now with streaming etc.

[@cecelove6043]

Narsasition at its best

[@jonevan580]

@@cecelove6043 Earlier in these comments you made fun of someone for their grasp of the English language by saying 'I can tell your a fan by your language alone' yet here you are inventing words....lol

[@cecelove6043]

@@jonevan580 necessity is the mother of invention

[@outinsider]

As a closeted bisexual growing up in the 90s, I found an appreciation for Madonna's music. I felt I could be myself, coded as heterosexual among society, but loving how Madonna embraced sexuality as a statement of who she is, and maybe I could be that too. The classic movie references I saw as references, and you did an excellent job showing the artistry as to why she uses them to make the statements she makes in her artistry. I don't know when I stopped following her music, but when I think of the anti-racism of "Like A Prayer" or the pro-choice message of "Papa Don't Preach" or even the still debatable homage to the ballroom scene of "Vogue," I felt more of myself. Madonna knows what she is doing. She is a master marketer. The fact that her style has become a mainstream musically amid the ongoing trials of society in response of a sexually confident person, shows progress. It may not be the goal, but Madonna was sex positive before it became a term. Good for her.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Oh, never realized papa don't preach had that message going on for it too, wow!

[@outinsider]

@@kostajovanovic3711 "But I made up my mind....."

[@mowunmi7189]

I’m pretty sure Papa don’t preach’s message was pro-life, not pro-choice. The song literally says “I made up my mind, I’m KEEPING my baby”

[@outinsider]

@@mowunmi7189 Well, she made up her mind though. The lyrics recognize it's her choice. She's keeping her baby, but she made up her mind. Papa lets her do that.

[@sergiopadilla7765]

@@mowunmi7189 it was definitely a pro life song not pro abortion

[@douglaso6428]

BKR Madonna 9/9/23 When Madonna started her career, I just couldn't stand her and thought she was the worst example of the shallow popstar. I started to reevaluate that within a couple of years, because I found that I was drawn to her songs, some because they were fantastic to dance to and others because they were surprisingly moving or sensitive. So I won't say that I got stuck in a judgmental mindset - something it was important to me never to do - but at some level I suspect that I harbored some of those original suspicions. And this is why I can honestly say how much your video humbled me. And I'm so glad that it did. Thank you for your intelligence and commitment to seeing what lies beyond the surface and for your skill in creating and presenting these videos. I'm grateful to have watched this as I can now make amends for the ways I underestimated such a committed and talented artist.

[@quixentric]

I'm glad that we're revisiting the work of women (pop stars, especially) from the 80s/90s and how the public reacted (or over-reacted, I guess) to them making art, essentially. I'm not even a huge Madonna fan, but even to me it's clear she was intentional in her decisions and hugely influential to future artists! I remember at lunch a few years ago my coworker said that Madonna was apparently a "bitch" and "hard to deal with" (OH HOORAY). That those kinds of summations of her with little to no context are gross, and this video shows how much she probably had to fight just to be recognized, even at her peak.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Are you familiar with Yhara Zayd? Sshe is also doing a marvelous job of recontextualizing media aimed at women

[@quixentric]

@@kostajovanovic3711 yes! Love her videos 🙂 I especially love her video on Megan Fox and Jennifer's Body.

[@fergarcia4266]

I would have never thought that I needed a video like this until I saw the notification. I love your videos. One learns so much about classic Hollywood and pop culture in your channel

[@TheJamesroy3]

Terrific’ interestingly- their 1st names are religious - whilst a child Marie Magdalene fused her name into Marlene. Both also shore an almost unrivaled drive for hard work & perfectionism that overcame what they lacked in technical talent. Dietrich’s bio’s by Stephen Bach and her daughter Maria Riva are fascinating from start to finish’

[@isaacjgl2657]

Bedtime Stories is definitely one of the best Madonna music video, referencing so much art and film. Please make a part 2, this video was amazing and barely scratched the surface

[@jonevan580]

Such a great video.

[@jermainecornelius7193]

All the movie references used by Madonna in various ways makes perfect sense. She's obviously a fan of all those movies. If I'm not mistaken, Dennis Rodman once said that when he was dating Madonna she enjoyed staying home watching old movies.

[@jacquelinej4819]

She’s honestly such an interesting person

[@shanecadden7914]

This video has completely educated me about Madonna's work as an artist and advocate. I was born in 94 and I feel that most contemporary references to her use her as a punch line, and I think after watching the video, I'm reminded that one should always investigate the work before making up their mind about an individual performer or artist.

[@Sumtimreh]

Never thought I'd be a Madonna fan, but here we are.

[@CrystalCoffin]

It has always been easy for people to dismiss Madonna YET they wouldn't have any problem with non-threatening acts like Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion. . .people are really shallow.

[@matthewsourbeck4501]

This was a fantastic piece!!! Madonna is rarely credited for the thought & deliberate cultural references that encompass much of her work. It's a major part of her genius & artistry. She was more than a pop singer or shock rocker. That's what propelled her into the icon that she is today.

[@nettness]

A Be Kind Rewind video on my birthday?! DELIGHTFUL! 😍😍😍🎉 Thank you for your excellent work (and the inadvertent gift)!

[@DeusXavier]

As a die hard Madonna fan I’m amaze, as an art historian I’m LIVING! The references, the contexts, the graphic material, EVERYTHING is so accurate and precise. Thank you for proving once again that pop culture is meaningful. Madonna’s legacy should be revisited and celebrated. ASTONISH WORK!

[@jodisco]

Wow, I've been subscribed for 2 years and absolutely love every video you create but this one was such an unexpected, wonderful surprise. I'm a huge Madonna fan and I can't express in words how much this video means to me! Thank you endlessly for all your incredible work. Love from NYC

[@marcuskuster5673]

Not a surprise, but so incredibly well done. As far as I'm concerned, you can produce as many parts about this as you want. Especially about her work since Ray Of Light up to Madame X. It baffles me how people can watch this video (packed with examples of eloquent statements straight from her mouth etc) and still don't acknowledge her intelligence and courage and monumental impact. Almost 40 years later, we still consider so much of her art controversial, so I can't imagine just how brave she really must've been back then.

[@kimmiefonze7700]

Every pop star should be thanking madonna for paving the way, pushing boundaries, and breaking the cieling. Very few pop stars could match the consistency of her concepts and its message.

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

I've been a huge since I was a ten year old kid. I'm in my early 30s, and I feel like a lot of people my age and younger really don't understand how recycling images worked in context, and how it's different from today. The way Madonna recycles images is worlds away from what we see most stars doing today, but her audience was very different as well. Gen X grew up on old movies. If you wanted to watch TV late at night pre MTV, the choice was basically old movies. Even after MTV, the choice was MTV or old movies. When Madonna created an homage to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she was playing to an audience who had actually seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Her target audience would likely understand the irony. A good share of the people attending the Blonde Ambition Tour had probably seen Metropolis. People seeing The Girlie Show would have mostly understood the references to Marlene Dietrich, and why references to Weinman Germany were culturally relevant at the time. Madonna was exactly the right pop star for Gen X, who is likely the most cultured generation in history. Nowadays, recycled images are pretty shallow. When stars do an homage to Marilyn Monroe, it's likely they're doing an homage to a photo of Marilyn Monroe, without having actually seen any of her movies, or understanding any of the nuance of her personality. Recycling aesthetics today are almost always surface level, and just for nostalgia. It's truly unfortunate.

[@latinogeorgie1]

The keep it together number in the Blond Ambition Tour also had references to A Clockwork Orange.

[@Rosannasfriend]

28:27, I want to thank Madonna for saying the word “homage” properly. I’ve noticed people are butchering that word lately.

[@novalis]

She lived in Paris for several months before she became famous.

[@brunopasini584]

There are two more references to classic movies/stars that I would like to point out. The first one is in the "Material Girl" video where the story line references also to " How To Marry A Millionaire" . The character interpreted by Keith Carradine in the video resembles the one interpreted by Cameron Mitchell in the movie , a "fake" poor guy ( who in reality is a multimillionaire ) that ends up marrying another apparent "material girl " ( Lauren Bacall in the movie) who is unaware of his wealth. The other reference is to Italian movie star Anna Magnani in the "Like A Prayer" video . Madonna's look ( dark hair, black petticoat) echoes very much that of Magnani in The Rose Tattoo's film adaptation. You are absolutely right about Madonna's coherence in her referencing to classic movies and she does in a very articulated and detailed way. Nothing casual and at times very original.

[@coleamaya9218]

Madonna is one of the three people I admire the most in this world (along with my mother and Bette Davis). You mentioned so many of the things that I value in this woman. And it makes me happy to see it put out there and so eloquently! Thank you for making this video

[@GeraldodeOliveiraDesign]

Few people realizes that Madonna is actually an art genius.

[@kristianberg4264]

True, at one point she was one of the top art collectors in the U.S.

[@graphiquejack]

Thank you so much for this intelligent, well researched and compelling take on Madonna’s film references and homages. As a fan for 40 years, I hadn’t thought about how references to 30s German film actually also points to a time of progressive societal values, especially in terms of queer culture and understanding. It’s so sad to me that so many people have consistently and frequently deliberately misunderstood her message and her artistic choices. And now she’s facing agism, even among young women and queer men whom she’s championed for decades. It irritates me that she doesn’t get the credit she deserves, and the women who have followed her and frequently copy her in their careers don’t properly credit her for the doors she’s opened.

[@katmd03]

This was great! Loved hearing your take on Madonna, her work, and her influence. Please do a part two!!

[@truckarttinbox9644]

my favorite "art" music video will always be my "bedtime story" by madonna, each frame in that video is a reconstruction of incredible surrealist art

[@cunegonde4]

“Will a Fosse neck do it?” 😅 greatest ever You could’ve also used Robin Williams in The Birdcage: “Fosse Fosse Fosse! Michael Kidd Michael Kidd or Madonna! Madonna! Madonna!”

[@gaia296]

3 minutes in, already one of my favorite Madonna videos ever. Thank you

[@blanch33333]

Finally some redemption and respect Madonna deserves.

[@CopyAndConversations]

Oh my f***in god, this totally changed the way I view Maddona and her impact on today's culture. Thank you, this is so informative. She's not just an artist, she's an artist with a purpose. And if you read comments, I hope you do because this video is so interesting, maybe because this truly served your interest in history. This is awesome!

[@pauliboyx]

as a fan of this account and a madonna fan, i clicked watch as fast as i could

[@firouz4296]

This video opens pandoras box! It might sound funny but Madonna is underrated. Even by you. The main reasons for Madonna referencing what has inspired her, is her oldschool clubkid era in NY and her study of the arts/dance! Back when we dressed up for the clubs all we did was referencing pop culture. Our clothes, our makeup and persona that we would put on for the night was ALL ABOUT referencing art/artists while communicating to others what we knew! In the drag queen scene it still happens and this attitude survived! It‘s a rule for the dressup kids to know their references and USE THEM accordingly, craft their own outfits/looks and also pay homage the people that inspire them! If you used references that you didnt know and believed you are original, you were not respected in the clubs, were looked down upon and got sometimes even physically and verbally attacked! Millenials and Gen Z don’t have the understanding, research chops or sophisticated communication skills to understand that! This leads to the fact that Madonna to many of them is just an old lady while Kim K or Beyonce are the biggest stars of their generation!!!!!! At the beginning Gaga did not pay respect to the people she „stole“ from! The drag queens read her to filth and Madonna calls her „reductive“!!! She, unlike Madonna, Grace Jones or Debbie Harry will never truely be one of the originals. Everything I know about music, politics, culture, film and art is because of Madonna! Growing up at the same time as Madonna was the greatest thing that happened to many many gay kids! Not only she changed lives by her msuic and art, she also changed lives by her charity work in AIDS reasearch since day one! She brought the Beastie Boys to the mainstream ...and Alanis Morisette! Studying her music career and watching her interviews should be the entry level art lesson requirement for all children. You have missed atleast 20-30 other references including one of my favorites: Gwen Verdon‘s performance Of „Whatever Lola wants“ from the movie „Damn Yankees“ inspired her choreography in „Papa don‘t Preach“!!!! Her dance and choreography references alone are worth a documentary! Thanks for this video. It is so good to see all this information floating around on the internet while we had to research and recreate every little detail before the internet ourselves and through other/older gays!!! Being gay is truely a blessing from gods! We are gods gift to this planet.

[@skander137]

reminded of that time Agnès Varda considered remaking Cleo from 5 to 7 with Madonna and during an interview said about her: « she is a provocateur and in the word provocateur there’s the word ‘pro’ »

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

This is incredibly well done. Madonna was decades ahead of her time. This video needs to be watched by later generations to understand and respect the impact she had on entertainment and society.

[@cindeed4422]

Her videos are better than her own movies. I don’t think that’s by accident. What she chooses to say as opposed what she portrays is saying two difficult things. She’s the master of self image. Madonna is a voyeurist and exhibitionist challenging you to say something about it. She wants you to watch. In fact, she dares you to. She uses vast and artful film images to convey her message with absolute ambition and perfection whether you like her or not. She’s the queen of controversy. She thrives in it like the very air that she breathes. She’s very good at it I give her that much. No one’s done it better since. Sorry Gaga.

[@ethianb9045]

I completely agree with you, she is the master of masters and proves it time and time again.

[@TheSongwritingCat]

I appreciate all the research and thoughtfulness in this video but I actually think this is a flaw of Madonna's. There is value to analyzing her work but I don't think she is an effective communicator. She has good taste in music, art, etc. but I don't think the problem is just that people refuse to take her seriously. I think she makes the reference and relies on other people to provide the substance.

[@davedivito2062]

There may have been other allies in the eighties and nineties, but really there was no one who made it so central to their work and their being. Love her on so many levels and love what you did here!

[@Jacks_here]

One often missed film reference is related to Madonna’s live version of the song Hung Up. Marilyn Monroes 1960 film Let’s Make Love has a dance sequence where Marilyn dances around the stage with a big lilac jumper and pantyhose ending up gyrating with a group of dancers towards the end with some pole dancing in between. In Madonna’s version she is wearing a lilac leotard instead and doing similar dance and pole routine. During this time she also did a photoshoot for W magazine called ‘Blame it on Rio’ where she reimagines the on set photos taken during the filming of the Misfits in Nevada in 1961.

[@zukker13]

There is no one. Male or female. Like Madonna. She was, is and will always be a force to be reckoned with and look up to. The true and real meaning of an artist.

[@NotJoegoldberg]

mj...

[@NotJoegoldberg]

and also prince

[@6ftofmisery636]

@@NotJoegoldberg they are not alike at all.

[@tonyfernando1690]

Perfect video. And yet begs for a second part. Amazing video, as Always!

[@henrysmith5297]

Madonna reinvented what it is to put in a pop show when she toured Blonde Ambition. You can STILL see it’s references to this day. What an icon.

[@daniyyel1317]

She's always so smart with the work she does, she seems to sense the pulse of the collective and knows exactly when, how and what to reference in here work, and when to change it up. Madonna is deeply artistic, intellectual, and provocative. Madonna said of all the controversial things she did, the most controversial was to stick around and still be doing it, now she's fighting ageism x

[@fomalhauto]

She tested 140 IQ

[@collinmichaelkahn3918]

I am 38 so I was the exact perfect age to recall when the world news ran on Madonna’s various exploits. Like that kind of super stardom rarely occurs these days (maybe Beyoncé, despite loads of differences, just in terms of the cult of fascination surrounding her celebrity) and when anybody gets close, it is usually because they are taking a page or twenty from Madonna’s book on how to engage and some how still be enigmatic (looking at you Gaga). So I found this video really great because you found a way to align her (at the time unique) brand with so many past trailblazers. It was a really awesome entry in your continuously growing portfolio of wonderful video essays. You are wise beyond your years and I love seeing somebody else very loosely associated with my age group who loves the classic era as much as I do. About to launch a podcast on women in film and would love to reach out with you on a possible collab in the future. Cheers BKR. ❤️

[@Luvie1980]

Blonde Ambition tour was her best tour and best era.

[@JustifyMyPop]

This is definitely VIDEO OF THE YEAR. The way you contextualize the subject is just amazing. Not only did we learn about Madonna’s film references, but also about pop culture history and social issues. Congratulations!

[@thechristinaccruz]

another day, another amazing video by BKR. Really loved the subject of this video, Madonna really know how use her references, love to see a well placed and meaningful reference in this age we're saturated with excessive use of them just for the sake of nostalgia.

[@novalis]

One of my favourite KZbin channels analysing my favourite artist with lots of references to my favourite city (Berlin). Thank you very much, Be Kind Rewind, for your great work!

[@sarawilliams9025]

Madonna is a living artist-and everything she did/does, was art 💗

[@luisc1703]

OMG what a nice video, so so so good! please do a second part! I mean just the "Bedtime Story" video alone is full of references and the whole Ray of Light era!

[@michaelpeter7776]

Such a great video! We very rarely see commentary on the connection between her body of work and the strategic application of her artistic references

[@NocturneSoul]

Everyone should watch that 1990 Nightline interview as well as the one from Hood Morning America. Both are very important and historical pieces. And they show what Madonna is made of. She's a true artist who knows what she's doing, in full control of her creative choices. She knows what she's talking about, and she's fierce and confident while standing up to all the bullshit that was thrown at her. Those interviews show how smart she is and how she shines under preasure. And yes, she definitely paved the way. She changed culture.

[@fomalhauto]

A documentary reported that her IQ is 140 and that she was a straight A student in school

[@fomalhauto]

her high intelligence shows in her interviews

[@rwrocksteady]

This is the kind of Madonna analysis I have been waiting for!

[@brnaps]

Omg this feels like it was made specifically for me. I love Madonna and classic films and this is one of my favorite channels!

[@MariaVosa]

Absolutely phenomenal video essay. While I've clocked some of Madonna's references I had not at all realised how deep and pervasive they are - nor did I really know about how active she was against AIDS at a time when that was a real risk for any celebrity. My respect for her has grown exponentially. I would love a feature length documentary on this subject, with you at the helm. Where do we send the petition?!

[@Trixtah]

tbf, while it was risky, it was not SUPER risky in terms of Madonna's actual life or reputation by that time. She wasvery wealthy already. Her reputation was already among the more conservative types. But she was one of the few mainstream celebs out there taking a very visible stand. She was always, publicly, loudly, our ally (and one of us as well).

[@mce1939]

Enjoyed your video. I'm a big Madonna fan and grew up with her, old enough to have played her records :). One of her songs, "White Heat," has always been underrated in my opinion. That song has the same name as the 1949 James Cagney gangster film "White Heat." In the song, Madonna even uses samples/vocal clips from the actual film. So, just yet another Madonna, old film connection that some may not know about.

[@katabirajonathan9909]

There are is a reason these kinds of performances are there full of so many cultural motifs and gems from past films . Madonna is sophisticated and she does have a great deal of culture. The 80s are a testament to that.

[@claudiobdv5166]

I wonder if Courtney Love is gonna like this video, since she is a fan of the channel 😅 Great video, btw. Now seeing Madonna from a different perspective definitely!

[@_sam_ddn]

Courtney Love is a fan of this channel? Interesting🤔 I mean, looks like we both know that she doesn't like Madonna😅 And yes, Madonna is great. I've been a fan since 2018. It a shame that not many people of my age know her, at least where I'm from.

[@claudiobdv5166]

@@_sam_ddn yes, a couple months ago she posted on her IG stories that she is a fan of BKR

[@_sam_ddn]

@@claudiobdv5166 Oh. Thanks for telling me.

[@MrHsauvageau]

Courtney love is a Madonna fan... she doesnt want to admit it but she was at her live concert in 2015

[@_sam_ddn]

@@MrHsauvageau Oh. I didn’t know that😲

[@adonisrivera354]

You could do a whole channel examining Madonna's career and impact 😹

[@dearjessie83]

Madonna always has been a true artist. Pop girl nowadays doesn't have 5% of her artistry. She should be celebrated while she is still with us, but unfortunately people just wanna shit on her for her young boyfriends, her face, butt, hands. She is such a cultural phenomenon yet we don't appreciate it. Thanks for the video. This woman deserves all the best.

[@hanyabed9367]

Agree 100%

[@superamanda]

Was it Artistree if she’s a complete rip off in a copy paste how is that iconic.? Every single thing that she’s known someone else did way better first. If someone else was going to go copy paste like she did she would accuse them of ripping her off! Also she’s a disgusting vile racist kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIWZlIGvepyVmqs 2:40

[@jonevan580]

@@superamanda How many times are you going to make the same comments. You must have better things to do surely?

[@superamanda]

@@jonevan580 I hate racists and I hate colonizers. Deal with it.

[@Chelaxim]

@@superamanda Madonna is not a racist stop it.

[@solotrohumano]

That's why Madonna is the Queen of Pop. She made referencing pop culture a thing before it was cool.

[@JeffBeaverTV]

Excellent job scratching the surface! Madonna has always been deeper than anybody ever really understood. She was THE ONLY PERSON in her position to do what she did. When she was the most famous person on earth she was fighting for the LGBT community, and all marginalized people. It will be a long time before people give her the credit she deserves...for some reason people still can't figure it out, but this video came closer than anyone has to date. Thank You!

[@jordanmcinerny1170]

Love everything about this video. Be Kind Rewind is one of my favourite channels on KZbin. Thank you so much for all the amazing videos. I learn so much and am constantly referencing things from this channel and directing anyone who is listening to me talk about old movies and pop culture to your fantastic videos

[@strangerinthedark5707]

Wow what a great video. Not only amazing analysis of Madonna as an artist but also of her influences and what impacted her. It's a shame she doesn't get the credit she deserves. We don't really see this kind of influences on artists today, Madonna always had a vision which is why it worked. She knew what she wanted to say or show, artists today do it for aesthetics.

[@MickeyFlipper]

This just became my fav video from your channel!! I can’t believe I never caught on to the Weimar references. Except one…. Metropolis. Thank you for the further education on Madonna’s genius.

[@KyIieMinogue]

Omg I literally was looking at your Twitter last night just checking that you were still with us and here she isss back with some of that delicious content we can’t get enough of 💕😍

[@supersmartchick]

I AM HERE FOR THE DOCUMENTARIES! Your videos are so focused & organized. Plus your voice tone & cadence is perfect! I can't wait to see what you create!

[@donryan3153]

This is extremely well done and you have touched on many of the aspects of her imagery that was truly an education for me. She is a postmodern artist and I like the juxtapositions and references in her work and how she uses them to tell a story. She is drawn to historical figures she identifies with, and has constructed her own mythology by embodying and continuing the personas begun by others in the past, and by doing that has held a mirror to society to show how things have both changed and stayed the same.