But What I Really Want To Do Is Direct Your Attention To Something That Needs Directing To

Reminds me of her 1994 Wayne Maser Esquire shoot

So Madonna looks flawless (in the good way) on and in Interview (May 2010) thanks to inspired shots by Mert & Marcus that in turn seem inspired by Gary Heery's fantastic first-album cover shoot and Steven Meisel's 1991 Vanity Fair shoot (inset) and perhaps accidentally similar to Tom Munro's recent work with her. But despite parallels, the shots are not knock-offs, and a couple of them threaten to become instant classics. 

How much do we love that she wore jewelry so reminiscent of her early '80s accessories? In fact, some of them actually are her early '80s accessories, I bet, since they're credited as the artist's own.

The interview, a long chat with Gus Van Sant, shows off Madonna's excellent taste in movies and seems to be a sort of reminder of who Madonna was and who she still is—if she weren't talking about the movie she's co-written and plans to direct (W.E., which she clarifies is not all about Wallis Simpson), it's the kind of interview she could have given 20 years ago.

 

Of particular interest to gay fans:

"But you know, what [Milk] triggered for me was all my early days in New York and the scene that I came up in-you know, with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf. It was just so alive with art and politics and this wonderful spirit. So many of those people are dead now. I think that's one of the reasons I cried. In fact, the character that Richard E. Grant plays in the film I directed, Filth and Wisdom [2008], is this blind professor who was based on my ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn. Growing up in Michigan, I didn't really know what a gay man was. He was the first man-the first human being-who made me feel good about myself and special. He was the first person who told me that I was beautiful or that I had something to offer the world, and he encouraged me to believe in my dreams, to go to New York. He was such an important person in my life. He died of AIDS, but he went blind toward the end of his life. He was such a lover of art, classical music, literature, opera. You know, I grew up in the Midwest, and it was really because of him that I was exposed to so many of those things. He brought me to my first gay club-it was this club in Detroit. I always felt like I was a freak when I was growing up and that there was something wrong with me because I couldn't fit in anywhere. But when he took me to that club, he brought me to a place where I finally felt at home. So that character in Filth and Wisdom was dedicated to him and inspired by him. I don't know why I'm bringing all this up, but I guess it's just coming from that world in Michigan and the trajectory of my life: after going to New York and being a dancer when the whole AIDS epidemic started and nobody knew what it was. And then suddenly, all these beautiful men around me, people who I loved so dearly, were dying-just one after the next. It was just such a crazy time. And watching the world freak out-the gay community was so ostracized. But it was also when I was beginning my career. . . . I don't know. Your movie really struck a chord for me and made me remember all that. It's a time I don't think many people have captured on film. It's a time that people don't talk about much. And even though there was so much death, for me, New York was so alive."

Seeing a thriving, last-century gay culture depicted on film seems to have jogged her memories of the period directly following.

This is the umpteenth time Madonna has spoken of the impact gay men have had on her life, but I feel like no matter how many times she says it, there are always those who think she's using gays for money. (Which she is, but she's using everyone for money so she's a capitalartist, not a gay-casher.)

Major missed opportunity—Van Sant speaks with her about Malawi, but doesn't bring up the persecuted couple so in danger there as we speak.

Mosaic via Zack 

An "Erotica"-style video of the shoot by Fabien Baron ("why was he chosen?") is here. More images after the jump...

 

Comments

[cms1979]

FUCK YEAH!

[TomTom]

I'm speechless.

[chris calix]

GORGEOUS!

[17Days]

stunning. the Paul Stanley image was a red herring!

[Jayson]

FUCKING AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. Simply GORGEOUS.

[Louden Clear]

I think one of her best photo spreads ever! Just gorgeous, stuning, take my breath away-fan-fucking-tastic!

[Bears are Fat]

I love Madonna.

[dirrtyboyy79]

yes yes and YES!!! these are kinda shoots she does every now and then that remidn me why I love her!!! fucking hot and genious, I'm glad she's embracing her love for crucifixes again in recent shoots....this reminds me of Justify My Love...vers 2.0!

[Jo]

What's with all that cigarette posing? A health nut like Madge would NEVER put a ciggie to her lips and it sends a poor message that smoking is cool. When clearly, it's not.

Perhaps she could have posed with a carrot?

[Leo]

The pictures are great, but I loved the interview so much I didn't pay much attention to them. It's great to see her touch in some interesting subjects. Interview magazine brings great reads and not stupid articles like most of the time we get to read a talk with an artist. Great to know about her directing process.

[Chris H.]

I just love that she doesn't look like she has a GIGANTIC head or really swollen cheeks. I actually think these photos flatter her more recent face work.

[Ben]

OMG! Our diva, boys and girls.

Now, all you other minor divas out there, this is the class you need to attend. Sweet lord.

(We've missed her, she's returned, bless.)

[SFH]

J'adore. This is the photoshoot we'd been waiting for. Why not save it for an album? Classic. What a nice surprise! Thanks for sharing

[pariska]

finally great photos! so tired of steven kleins talentless photography ( and I think he does fabulous job with models and other celebs, but he fails with Madge every time. So disappointing)
But these are amazing images. Astonishing both covers.
i"m in love with M again )))

[Bossy Bottom]

The crucifix in her stocking makes it look like she's going vampire hunting, and I think that's cool. I wonder if Madonna has good taste in movies, or whether she has learned what movies she is supposed to say she likes. She certainly did not have good taste in the roles she picked. Too bad, because I really think Madonna is a pretty good actress. Good actors with poor taste in scripts is not uncommon. Julia Roberts is also a good actress with poor taste in roles, but she has gotton lucky more times than Madonna.

[Tommy]

Love the pictures. I think as far as her movie roles, yes, she made bad choices but since she was seen as primarily a singer and never really had a hit movie, she didn't really get offered that many roles to choose from. You can't compare Madonna to Julia Roberts who had much more success and thus would be offered many more roles to choose from.
Acting is kind of a vicious circle. You can't be successful unless you get a good part. But the best parts are usually offered to actresses who are already successful and seen as big box office.

[Mike]

Absolutely BRILLIANT. Best photo shoot she's done in years! I love it!

[John]

I appreciate your mention of the Malawi situation, Matthew. And how depressing than none of the preceding commenters have taken it up as a talking point.

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Tommy: True, but to be fair, Madonna's not a good actress. She's somewhat of a wild pitcher in that she sporadically rises to the occasion (SUSAN, LEAGUE, DANGEROUS GAME, BLOODHOUNDS) but is at other times the worst of the worst (SHANGHAI, SWEPT AWAY). I'm just saying, even if she'd been handed SOPHIE'S CHOICE, it's not like she'd have had the ability to run with it.

[Bossy Bottom]

I haven't seen all of Madonna's performances, but I do think she showed talent in SUSAN and EVITA, for instance. By way of comparison, ERIN BROCKOVITCH is about the quality of a TV movie. Most of Madonna's movies are probably about as undistinguished. The difference is, the role of Erin Brockovitch gave Julia Roberts room to show what she can do, something I don't think Madonna has found in a role. Most serious critics would agree that PRETTY WOMAN is not a good film, yet one can see that Julia Roberts is charming in it.

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Yes, I of course should have mentioned EVITA. But I think Julia Roberts, of whom I'm not a huge fan, has a natural acting ability that Madonna does not have. Madonna is usually more forced. I'm glad there have been some great exceptions to this rule.

[Tomi Luka]

Love the pics. This is the first thing Madonna does in a long time that feels really fresh 100% Madonna. Wow, kudos! If someone hates on this I'ma clock them.

[Eva]

Stunning. I just hate that they didn't use this brilliant shoot for her album artwork.

[Tomi Luka]

I think it's a testament to the work's quality that we've made it this far without GaGa comparisons. lol

(Please don't start now)

[Nonplussed]

...and not forgetting very evident inspiration credit
to Bert Stern and Milton Greene too.
She looks like
A Star.