Lana Del Rey's new 27-minute short film Tropico just premiered on VEVO. It is more or less a drawn-out music video that features LDR and male model Shaun Ross as lovers in a series of connected vignettes. Directed by Anthony Mandler, the video features the songs "Body Electric," "Gods and Monsters," and "Bel Air" from the singer's Paradise Edition of Born to Die. The film is described as "an epic tale based on the biblical story of sin and redemption."
It begins with a male voice narrating an altered version of the creation story. He says, "And the spirit of John moved upon the face of the waters, and John said, 'Let there be light.' And there was light. And John saw that it was good."
The "John" he speaks of appears to be John Wayne. The video then flashes to Del Rey dressed as the Virgin Mary as she repeats over and over "Dear John, forgive us our sins."
Then Jesus, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis enter the frame. Wayne recites lines from his movies; Jesus recites the "Our Father" and Elvis and Marilyn sing. Bible imagery is sprinkled throughout with snakes, apples, lambs and doves. In LDR's paradise, there are also unicorns. Then, Del Rey begins to sing "Body Electric." At the end of the song, she bites the forbidden apple. Lightening strikes, and Marilyn, Elvis, Wayne and Jesus freak out. Ross follows Del Rey's lead, and eats the apple, too.
The vignette transitions to a Los Angeles strip club. Del Rey recites a poem about the body and compares it to the soul. Fuzzy radio frequencies provide the background sound. She then begins to sing "Gods and Monsters." Occasionally, the film flashses back to the Garden of Eden.
Ross and Del Rey's characters appear to be part of some L.A. gang. Del Rey is a stripper and Ross works in a convenient store. The video follows them across L.A. from their bedroom to the streets.
A new vignette begins with a meteor heading to earth. A room of pervy businessmen order some strippers to celebrate their friend "Jack." All of a sudden, Ross and his gang come in a rob them. Del Rey then recites a poem about Los Angeles, comparing it to both hell and paradise.
In the final vignette, Ross and Del Rey drive through the countryside in a vintage car. They rid themselves of worldly possessions such as jewelry and wallets. John Wayne recites a poem about America while the two lovers change out of their black garb (which represents sin) and into white garments (which represents purity). They cleanse themselves in water while orchestral music plays in the background. Del Rey then sings "Bel Air," and she and Ross dance in a field as the sun is setting. Then they ascend into Heaven, and the film cuts out.
At the films Hollywood premiere, Del Rey announced the title of her next album to be called "Ultraviolence." In footage from a fan video posted online, Del Rey is heard saying, "I really just wanted us all to be together so I could try and visually close out my chapter before I release the new record, Ultraviolence." No information other than the album's title has been released, but stay tuned for more details.
Check out Tropico for yourself here, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
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