S Poddar
The Spanish authorities are investigating the production of Katy Perry’s new music video for its allegedly having been filmed on the environmentally sensitive sand dunes on the Balearic Islands without proper authorization.
The video – in which Perry can be seen enjoying the beaches and nightlife of the islands of Ibiza and Formentera – includes scenes that seem to have been shot on this little protected dunes of the islet S’Espalmador, an area of high ecological value with strict regulations against commercial filming.
The Spanish government explained that the video production company had not obtained the necessary permits to film before it began. According to a spokesperson for Perry’s label, the local production company involved assured them all necessary permits were in place, clarifying that they had “verbal authority” to go on with the filming.
Although it is the production company, and not Perry herself, that the authorities are targeting, officials still made the point that filming in the area can be legally allowed if the right process is followed. The environment department for the Balearic Islands announced Tuesday it has opened a preliminary investigation because no authorization was obtained.
S’Espalmador is an uninhabited islet just north of Formentera and a part of the Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera Natural Park, protected since 1980. The dunes on this privately-owned island are considered of high ecological value.
On the occasion, Perry’s team voiced its commitment to following the local regulations in regard to the protected area. It noted that its local crew applied for a permit on July 22 and received a verbal green light on July 26 for a July 27 shoot. Despite the misunderstanding, everything during production was done by the book.
The incident comes at the tail of a grim month for Perry, who is preparing to release her seventh album, “143,” in September. The first single, “Woman’s World,” was panned by some critics for its reductive feminist themes and out-of-touch message and performed below expectations on the charts. Her follow-up single, “Lifetimes,” has also been mired in controversy because it was produced by Dr. Luke, who has faced legal battles with singer Kesha over allegations of abuse.
An investigation into the “Lifetimes” video is currently underway since officials are working to find out whether any environmental regulations have been violated in its production.
