He was nominated for two high-profile Golden Globes, despite controversial depictions of autism and widely negative reviews from fans and critics.
But Sia’s new film, Music, continues to promote its release via on-demand and streaming platforms this Friday, sending full songs and dance numbers.
The most recent video is for a song called 1 + 1, which features Sia’s lead dancer (and title character from the film) Maddie Ziegler along with stars Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr.
Let you look: Sia’s new film, Music, continues to release content, with the latest video for a song called 1 + 1 released on Friday with Maddie Ziegler, Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr.
The clip begins in a street scene, with Hudson’s Zu announcing to his younger sister Music that ‘we’re about to have a pool party!’
The scene quickly changes to a surreal red interior, with Kate dressed in a retro yellow swimsuit, swim cap and matching leggings.
When the camera comes out, she is flanked by several supporting dancers, in what could be a sequence of Esther Williams taking acid.
Transition: the clip begins in a street scene, with Hudson’s Zu being quickly transported to a surreal red interior, dressed in a retro yellow swimsuit and swim cap
Trippy: as the camera goes out, it is flanked by several supporting dancers, in what could be a sequence of Esther Williams in acid
The atmosphere is fun and silly, with some dancers holding water hoses, while others hold umbrellas to protect themselves from the spray.
Still others play drums, while a group plays hula hoops.
In the center of the space, there is a large moat filled with cubes of pink plush, with other dancers in swimsuits joining the synchronized choreography.
In the center of the space: there is a large moat filled with cubes of pink plush, with other dancers in swimsuits participating in the synchronized choreography
The camera follows Kate as she runs from one group of dancers to another, momentarily and happily participating in her specific movements.
A group of children come out wearing giant pink balloon costumes that make them look like gum coming to life.
Hudson joins one of the drummers, played by Odom Jr, before Ziegler herself finally appears, wearing the same outfit as Kate, but adorned with a giant brown braid dangling in front of one of her shoulders.
Zany: A group of kids come out wearing giant pink balloon costumes that make them look like chewing gum coming to life
Dancing trio: Hudson rejoins one of the drummers, played by Odom Jr, before Ziegler herself finally appears
The star: Maddie is wearing the same outfit as Kate, but adorned with a giant brown braid hanging in front of one of her shoulders
Maddie plays an autistic teenager in the film.
As some critics have pointed out, the choice to use a non-autistic interpreter to play the central character of Music can be a cause for concern.
However, the musical sequence 1 + 1 alone sums up many of Sia’s best offerings: irresistible and irreverent pop hooks, along with inventive choreography and an undeniably uplifting spirit.
The musical sequence 1 + 1 alone synthesizes many of Sia’s best offerings: irresistible and irreverent pop hooks, along with inventive choreography
They play sisters: there is also an undeniably uplifting spirit
Placed within the film as a whole, however, the transitions between real life and the colorful and melodic inner world of music were marked as oscillating and rough.
Specific scenes in the film in which Ziegler’s character is contained, moreover, found significant derision from both critics and autism activists, which led to an apology from Sia herself along with the promise to edit those scenes.
Still Music was nominated for Best Picture, Comedy or Golden Globe Musical, along with the nomination for Best Leading Actress in that category for Hudson.
Specific scenes from the film in which Ziegler’s character is contained have been scorned by both critics and autism activists: This has generated an apology from Sia herself