I truly hope — as it’s appearing in posts on bobdylan.com, that he had nothing to do with it. Hard to believe he’s given Columbia a free hand with this sort of thing, but that’s what’s being said. The Victoria’s Secret commercial was different. If a randy old goat wants to make some money to put food on his many tables and has a chance to brush up against some gorgeous young women in the process, that’s just about money and sex, and it’s his business. But when an artist/poet/songwriter puts a song out there, he opens it up to as many different interpretations as the number of people who hear it. IMHO, it’s implicit in the connection of the song to this video that this is what he means by it. If that’s not so, I hope we’ll hear something from him on it.

By the way, Katryna and Anonymous, how old is Bob? I think he’s a little beyond the adolescent posture of provoking us just to ‘me, me, me’ himself out of some box we’ve projected around him. Give the guy a little more credit. His genius isn’t as limitingly self-conscious as you inadvertently imply. Art can actually be useful, even redemptive. Unfortunately, this video collaboration doesn’t just fail, it offends the innocent.

If there’s something worthwhile happening in this IFC video, I sure don’t know what it is. It’s disgusting and offensive. This is art? I’m embarrassed for Bob.

This video is terrible. It reinforces ugly stereotypes about violence against women. The message seems to be that women can be brutally abused and they will still return to their man. Same old sexist, violent crap.

I have to wonder if Dylan would have put out a video with this message if one of his own daughters or granddaughters was in this kind of situation.

Anonymous | 5/13/2009, 5:45 pm EST

“Maybe he wants to offload all of you fuckers who only want him to be what you think he should be.Hope you’re all feeling sweaty and out of sorts. You cannnot put Bob Dylan in a box.It’s a great slap in the face and a victory to the right to creative freedom. GO BABY! I love you.”

THANK YOU!

Awful. Simply awful. Ranks right up there with his Victoria’s Secret commercial.

Why?? What’s the point? To illustrate how horrible domestic abuse is? That we should really love each other while we’re here because beyond here lies nothing? Explain to me why it was done and the connection between the song and the video, and maybe I can get behind it, but I’m not clever enough to figure it out by myself, and I can’t watch it a second time because it’s too upsetting to me.

This is disgusting! One of the worst videos I’ve ever seen.
A woman is tied up, drugged, beaten and maybe raped. She fights for her life and escapes only to have a change of heart and return to her abuser and give him a kiss.
This is the same kind of sick, twisted mind set that says women like to be beaten and raped. It is very sad that Bob Dylan is using this garbage for his video. Very disappointing.

Maybe he wants to offload all of you fuckers who only want him to be what you think he should be.Hope you’re all feeling sweaty and out of sorts. You cannnot put Bob Dylan in a box.It’s a great slap in the face and a victory to the right to creative freedom. GO BABY! I love you.

Go to war once again Bob.with the worlds expectations. Setting the world on fire.

The world needs Bob’s music but doesn’t need stuff like this. And quit ranking on Johnny Cash for gods sake.

The world needs Bob’s music but doesn’t need stuff like this. And quit ranking on Johnny Cash for gods sake.

How could Bob Dylan put his name to such a shocking video!!!
There’s enough violence in the world wiyhout adding to it. Shame on him & the people that made it.

This won’t do anything to dissuade those who see a little misogynistic side to Dylan (”A woman like you should be at home” “She breaks just like a little girl” “A man wants to marry a woman, not a doctor or astronaut.”

what a bad video! a pity. i liked dylans video clip with Scarlet Johansson
When the deal goes down
that was really special

this video is total crap. Very bad if Dylan had any role in approving it. withdraw it.

A kiss between two people who had walked through hell.

the video just didn’t fit the song. It felt like I was watching a movie and just happened to have Dylan’s song playing on my stereo. LOVE the song though!!

That was intense.

It’s a strong video and I’m glad it’s about something that most people like to pretend doesn’t happen. Good on Bob for bringing awareness. Although I’m kinda pissed the girl went back to him.