Nadezhda Tolokonnikova releases Pussy Riot music video about police violence

Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has released a music video that shows balaclava-wearing children watching their toys being beaten by police officers.

Police State includes the refrain “Oh my god, I’m so happy, I could die” and shows Tolokonnikova wearing a balaclava and being assaulted by police officers in unmarked uniforms. American actress Chloë Sevigny plays one of the police officers.

This is the latest in a series of music videos released by Tolokonnikova, who served almost two years in prison for her role in the feminist collective Pussy Riot’s 2012 rendition of Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Expel Putin! in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral on the eve of Russia’s presidential elections.

Released on Wednesday, pop song Police State is a long way from Pussy Riot’s earlier punk performances in Russia, which were more focused on their political impact than catchy tunes.

The song is the first single from Tolokonnikova’s upcoming album Nice Life.

Tolokonnikova is an outspoken critic of both Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Donald Trump, and Police State has footage of both of the leaders, including them shaking hands at their only face-to-face meeting.

Other music videos featuring Tolokonnikova include Chaika, about Russia’s prosecutor general, Organs, which shows her bathing in blood and singing about the Russian security services and Make America Great Again, which she uses to attack Trump.

An immersive theatre production about Pussy Riot, Inside Pussy Riot, featuring Tolokonnnikova is due to be staged in London later this month.