David Bowie 'Lazarus' by Johan Renck
David Knight - 9th Jan 2026
To mark the 10th anniversary of David Bowie's death, here's our story on his last music video, posted on the day of its release - three days before his passing. And you can read Johan Renck's moving account of the making of the Lazarus video and its aftermath here.
Released on the eve of his 69th birthday, and the release of his new album, Johan Renck's video for David Bowie's Lazarus begins with Bowie in a bed wearing the bandages-with-button-eyes arrangement he wore in their previous collaboration, the video for Blackstar, the album's title track.
But Lazarus is a more intimate affair - and a triumph. Bowie gives a tremendous performance (a very Bowie-esque one) appearing more assured in front of a camera than in a very long time – way before he made his return to music three years ago.
And if the lyrics are anything to go by, could he be referencing his 1970s self? Capturing a fire in the eyes and a cheeky grin straight out of a Mick Rock photo (okay, the teeth are better), Johan Renck has coaxed something of the old cracked actor back. The new album is definitely going to be worth a listen.
David Knight - 9th Jan 2026
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Credits
Production/Creative
- Director
- Johan Renck
- Producer
- Svana Gisla
- Production Company
- Gisla & Renck
Camera
- Director of Photography
- Crille Forsberg
Art
- Production designer
- Jan Houllevigue
Editorial
- Editor
- Johan Söderberg
Grading
- Colourist
- Ola Bäccman
VFX
- Post production company
- Syndicate, Stockholm
Commission
- Commissioner
- Bryan Younce
- Label
- Columbia Records
Misc
- Dancer
- Elke Luyten
David Knight - 9th Jan 2026