Madonna is set to launch a 17-minute film promoting freedom of expression on September 24.

(MADONNA AND STEVEN KLEIN) - Pop star Madonna has released a string of politically charged black and white trailer clips to promote her short film, set for release on September 24. In one trailer, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" is sung over images of Madonna sitting somberly behind bars. In another trailer, Madonna is heard saying, "Democracy doesn't seem to exist anymore," and yet another has the singer pointing a gun down on someone's head.

The singer grabbed headlines last year with a series of onstage antics during her "MDNA" tour: provoking France's far right National Front party after screening footage of party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her face, speaking out in Russia in support of gay rights and the jailed members of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot, and delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom in the U.S.