“Dark Ballet” is released
Dark Ballet, the fifth song off Madonna’s upcoming album Madame X released before the album debuts globally on June 14 is now available to stream/download everywhere. Dark Ballet is written by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai, and produced by Mirwais.
Check it out here. The inspiring music video was also released at the same time.
If you watch the video with the closed captions on, you’ll also have the chance to find out what the lyrics spoken by the robotized voice over Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Reed Pipes from The Nutcracker at the 3:50 mark say:
I will not denounce the things that I have said
I will not renounce my faith in my sweet Lord
He has chosen me to fight against the English
And I’m not afraid at all to die ‘cause i believe in Him
God is on my side and I’ll be his bride
I am not afraid ’cause I have faith in Him
You can cut my hair and throw me in a jail cell
Say that I’m a witch and burn me at the stake
It’s all a big mistake
Don’t you know to doubt him is a sin?
I won’t give in
As you see, Dark Ballet was inspired by the story of Joan of Arc.
Madonna explains:
She fought the English and she won, still the French were not happy. Still they judged her. They said she was a man, they said she was a lesbian, they said she was a witch, and, in the end, they burned her at the stake, and she feared nothing. I admire that.
The powerful and moving video, directed by Emmanuel Adjei with the creative direction of Imogen Snell stars the innovative hip-hop queer pioneer, Mykki Blanco as Joan of Arc and tells the story of the kind of dance we’re all dancing in the world right now, this dark ballet. The video closes with an important message of inspiration from Mykki:
I have walked this earth, Black, Queer and HIV positive, but no transgression against me has been as powerful as the hope I hold within.
Dark Ballet
Written by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai
Starring Mykki Blanco
Directed by Emmanuel Adjei
Creative Director Imogen Snell
A COMPULSORY & Dreamers production
Executive Producers Chris Toumazou & Melodie Saba
Producer Tom Birmingham
Make Up Isamaya French
Make Up Assistant Porsche Poon
Styling for Madonna Eyob Yohannes
Hair Andy LeCompte
Production Designer Paulina Rzeszowska
Costume by Bratsk
Choreographer Megan Lawson
Assistant Choreographer Nicolas Huchard
Edited by Danny Tull & Tom Watson
Post Production by Mathematic Studio, and John Pearce, The Base
Photography & Stills Riccardo Castano
VFX supervisor Yann Aladabe
Flame artist Michael Bianchi
VFX producer Guillaume Marien
Post-producer or line producer Julia Kerguelen
Service Company Ready To Shoot
Service Producer Margarida Adónis
1st Assistant Director Dilia Brito
2nd Assistant Director Vanessa Patricio
PM Paulo Guedes
Talent & Production Coordinator Sara Brito
Prod Secretary Renata Amaro
Location Manager Tiago Nogueira + Luis Santos + Joao Barata + Joao Correia
Local Stylist Isabel Carmona
Local MUA & HD António Carreteiro
Local Art Director Sebas Serra
Props Buyer Ruth Levy
Drivers Hugo Peras, Paulo Duarte, Duarte Bettencourt, Pedro Silveira, Jaime Mendes, Carolina Gomes Teixeira
