David Bowie 'Blackstar' by Johan Renck

Having brought his TV blockbuster series The Last Panthers to the screen, Johan Renck had the crazy idea of asking his all-time hero David Bowie to write the theme song for the show. To his great surprise, Bowie agreed to do it, and that started an association that has led to Renck directing this ambitious surrealist epic for Blackstar, the first single from the new Bowie album, released on January 8th (his 68th birthday).

Shot in New York and Bucharest, featuring Bowie bandaged with button eyes, Pina Bausch-style dancers, Expressionist sets - and according to Renck, at least partly inspired by Bowie's fascination with old Popeye cartoons - the director has relished the challenge set by this 10 minute suite of art-rock. Here's testiment to the unabated experimentation of one of the greatest rock stars.