David Bowie Instagram mini-series ‘Unbound’ episode 1: Review

Reviewing a 15-second video because that's the world we live in now

Given the success of Netflix (at least in terms of cultural pervasiveness, their ratings remain a mystery), everyone is jumping on the original bandwagon. Bathroom cleaner Cif recently commissioned a 12-part series about a ragtag group of shower-dwelling germs, while Kellogg’s are rumoured to be looking into ways to hardwire LCD screens into the back of cereal boxes.

Earlier in the week, we learned that Instagram had produced a mini-series about David Bowie, apparently with the permission of the man himself. It promised to offer "visual interpretations of his songs, with no limits or preconditions on his part”.

The first episode dropped today, a 15-second video with nearly 30 credits:

Executive Producer: @InstaMiniSeries Director: @nikkiborges Music: @davidbowie Writer: @carolynncecilia Co-Producer: @lawrenceperyer Director of Photography: @joshuasterlingbragg Line Producer: @delaVega Associate Producer: @amandadelanuez, @itscecifernandez Production Designer: @LezGolden Costume Designer: @Bodilicious Hair / Make Up Artist: @missy_mua Miss Clarkson’s MakeUp Artist: @angdidmyhair VFX Production House: @heym1ster Dance Choreographer: @ofbonesdance, @hollyebynum Stunt Coordinator: @stuntmanpete Wire Rigger: @stuntworks Stunt Woman: @hellskitten29 Behind The Scenes: @a_madd Production Assistant: @clemencyforclem Special Thanks: @instalucas Final Cut: #dechesermedia Editor: Mike Ragone Creative Consultant: Michael Decheser Starring: @tavitulle, @rysak, @nikkiborges, Ching Valdes Anan, @amandadelanuez, @Jayknowlest, Jonah Herman

It simply consists of a slowly sweeping shot of a library, where characters of an indeterminate period chat, read books, do embroidery and drink red wine.

The only real Bowie reference is a book emblazoned with the Blackstar ★ logo, hamfistedly placed in the centre of the shot.

I really don’t know what they’re going for here. Bowie had eclectic tastes and loved innovation, but I’m not sure he would have been down with these opaque, protracted vignettes.

Maybe the second will be better and establish more tone or narrative, but right now the series (attracting “more than 300 likes”, the Guardian says, like that’s a lot) might struggle to maintain interest.