Lana Del Rey Transitions To The Big Screen With Tropico

BY CAMILA SOSA

Year after year the same artists make it to the top of the summer playlists. This summer, though, an unexpected artist broke into the top ten in America. Breakthrough singer Lana Del Rey found her popularity at an all time high, with her music conquering pop radio. Though her career started off slowly with multiple failed attempts, such as last year’s “lousy” SNL performance, she is now rapidly rising to fame. It all began with the 2011 Internet release of “Video Games,” a homemade music video, which gave way to overnight success for Del Rey, gaining over 20 million views, and got her signed with Strange Records. Today, Del Rey intrigues a broad audience with her retro vibe and haunting lyricism that adds a twist to pop music.  Things are finally looking up for Del Rey on the musical front, and she seems to be taking advantage of it by taking on another project- a short film.

Del Rey’s ability to translate music into images, is often left un-credited, but is now serving her well in her transition to the big screen. Del Rey’s music videos usually involve a collage of nostalgic video clips that reflect an innocent girl living on the edge persona. On stage, they flip on a circular screen behind her enhancing her already engaging performances. Del Rey expresses her love for film in almost all her interviews. She also incorporates her love of acting in many of her music videos, like in her “National Anthem” music video, where she plays both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy, while guest rapper A$AP Rocky plays JFK. Last year, Movie moguls scouted Del Ray, drooling over the star at the Cannes Film Festival. Miramax co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, fell in love with Del Rey, saying the camera’s infatuation with her is irresistible. It’s no wonder that Del Rey has announced a new short film she’s creating, Tropico.

The 30-minute film will be told through three of Del Rey’s songs: “Bel air”, “Body Electric” and “Gods and Monsters.” Director Anthony Mender, who previously directed her “Nation Anthem” video, will be working on the project. Del Rey will be portraying multiple characters such as Jesus, Marilyn Monroe, and many more alongside, male model, Shaun Ross. Recent movie posters have headings that read “a tale of redemption” and hint at a Christian theme as they feature Del Rey dressed and posing as the Virgin Mary.

Fans are undoubtedly excited for the new project; however, recent, cryptic tweets from Del Rey herself refer to Tropico as a “farewell project.” Some wonder if the film is something to anticipate or a final goodbye to the star, while others choose to believe that Del Rey is taking a break to work on a new album. With all the hype she has received, Del Rey has chosen the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in NYC as the screening location- how Lana of her.