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Out in the Tropics Festival June 7-11, 2010 |
www.ambiente.us JUNE| JUNIO 2010
Lady Gaga 'Alejandro' Video: Homoerotic Military Fantasy
Gaga describes the video as "a celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay
community, my admiration of their bravery, their love for one another and their courage
in their relationships. In the video I'm pining for the love of my gay friends--but they just
don't want me to be with them."
The 8+ minute, military fetish short film is directed by Steven Klein.
Lady Gaga 'Alejandro' Video: Homoerotic Military Fantasy
Gaga describes the video as "a celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay
community, my admiration of their bravery, their love for one another and their courage
in their relationships. In the video I'm pining for the love of my gay friends--but they just
don't want me to be with them."
The 8+ minute, military fetish short film is directed by Steven Klein.
Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro' Video: A Guide To Its Madonna References
Aside from initial 'Vogue' comparisons, there are traces of 'Like a
Prayer,' 'Human Nature' and other Material Girl clips.
By Kyle Anderson
When the brief preview for Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video appeared during the singer's
appearance on "Larry King Live" last week, many people immediately noticed the nod to
Madonna's "Vogue." It was all there: the sharp black-and-white photography, the muscular
dancing, the spartan set, the iconic hairstyle.
But as it turns out, the full version of "Alejandro" — which premiered Tuesday (June 8) — is a
healthy combination of a number of different references, nods and homages to a bevy of
Madonna videos. (One MTV News writer says "Alejandro" is more than just an ode to Madonna
— check out his counterpoint in the Newsroom blog.)
The "Vogue" references are certainly there, as Gaga spends a large chunk of the video in that
same spartan set in black-and-white. But the rest of the clip features Gaga in a number of
different costumes — including a red nun's habit and some sort of steampunk headgear — in
a handful of different scenarios (some of which involve Nazi imagery).
In addition to "Vogue," the opening sequence seems to recall Madonna's "Evita" period (when
she made "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" a hit). Gaga is dressed to mourn whomever is in the
casket behind her — perhaps the titular Alejandro? — and it would be easy to assume that
she's attending a state funeral, which would mean Gaga flipped the gender roles in the
original story of the Peróns (in reality, it was Juan who buried Eva).
Aside from initial 'Vogue' comparisons, there are traces of 'Like a
Prayer,' 'Human Nature' and other Material Girl clips.
By Kyle Anderson
When the brief preview for Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video appeared during the singer's
appearance on "Larry King Live" last week, many people immediately noticed the nod to
Madonna's "Vogue." It was all there: the sharp black-and-white photography, the muscular
dancing, the spartan set, the iconic hairstyle.
But as it turns out, the full version of "Alejandro" — which premiered Tuesday (June 8) — is a
healthy combination of a number of different references, nods and homages to a bevy of
Madonna videos. (One MTV News writer says "Alejandro" is more than just an ode to Madonna
— check out his counterpoint in the Newsroom blog.)
The "Vogue" references are certainly there, as Gaga spends a large chunk of the video in that
same spartan set in black-and-white. But the rest of the clip features Gaga in a number of
different costumes — including a red nun's habit and some sort of steampunk headgear — in
a handful of different scenarios (some of which involve Nazi imagery).
In addition to "Vogue," the opening sequence seems to recall Madonna's "Evita" period (when
she made "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" a hit). Gaga is dressed to mourn whomever is in the
casket behind her — perhaps the titular Alejandro? — and it would be easy to assume that
she's attending a state funeral, which would mean Gaga flipped the gender roles in the
original story of the Peróns (in reality, it was Juan who buried Eva).
Later, Gaga strips to her underwear and dominates a scantily clad dancer tied to a
bed. While Madonna is no stranger to the imagery surrounding bondage and
submission, that image most faithfully recalls the Material Girl's "Human Nature,"
which saw her dressed in black pleather and dancing seductively with the
assistance of ropes and a riding crop.
But the biggest nod to Madonna's past certainly comes with all the religious
imagery. Gaga dresses as a nun, swallows rosary beads and stands in front of a
row of crosses at various points during the clip, which brings to mind Madonna's
classic video for "Like a Prayer." In fact, there are even video clips of flames in the
background of one of the dance scenes in "Alejandro," which could easily have
been lifted wholesale from the moment in
bed. While Madonna is no stranger to the imagery surrounding bondage and
submission, that image most faithfully recalls the Material Girl's "Human Nature,"
which saw her dressed in black pleather and dancing seductively with the
assistance of ropes and a riding crop.
But the biggest nod to Madonna's past certainly comes with all the religious
imagery. Gaga dresses as a nun, swallows rosary beads and stands in front of a
row of crosses at various points during the clip, which brings to mind Madonna's
classic video for "Like a Prayer." In fact, there are even video clips of flames in the
background of one of the dance scenes in "Alejandro," which could easily have
been lifted wholesale from the moment in
Madonna's clip when she
sings among a field of
flaming crosses.
There are a number of
other cultural references
that slip out of "Alejandro"
(Gaga clearly enjoys the
work of film director Fritz
Lang), but even the
gun-barrel-sporting bra she
wears at the end could be
mistaken for that conical
top Madonna made famous
during the Blonde Ambition
Tour. Of course, "Alejandro"
director Steven Klein has
worked as a photographer
for Madonna over the past
few years, so it's quite
possible that these are
merely the influences he
has picked up while
working with her. But if
Gaga really is making an
attempt to define herself as
a next-gen Madonna who
also pays homage to her
elders, then there are
worse paths to follow.
sings among a field of
flaming crosses.
There are a number of
other cultural references
that slip out of "Alejandro"
(Gaga clearly enjoys the
work of film director Fritz
Lang), but even the
gun-barrel-sporting bra she
wears at the end could be
mistaken for that conical
top Madonna made famous
during the Blonde Ambition
Tour. Of course, "Alejandro"
director Steven Klein has
worked as a photographer
for Madonna over the past
few years, so it's quite
possible that these are
merely the influences he
has picked up while
working with her. But if
Gaga really is making an
attempt to define herself as
a next-gen Madonna who
also pays homage to her
elders, then there are
worse paths to follow.