Idea for my Short Film - Adaptation of a novel/short film

Adaptation of a novel/short film

Tropico (2013) - Lana Del Rey (27 minutes)

Although not a regular short film because it has been made by a musician and contains their own songs. It is a short film telling us a story of sin and redemption. 

The film opens with us being placed in the Garden of Eden with Adam (Shaun Ross) and Eve (Lana Del Rey). In unconventional ways John Wayne is portrayed as God and opens the scene for us. He is intersected by famous sayings by Jesus Christ, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. There are also cuts to Lana Del Rey portraying Jesus' mother Mary, who is seen to be regularly praying. Throughout the scene, it is carried by her song Body Electric - 

'Grand Ole Opry, feelin' alright

Mary prays the rosary for my broken mind

I sing the body electric'

During this section Eve is tempted by the snake, and eats an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which results in her fainting and thunder clapping. Adam then does the same to join his lover and the experience of paradise is over. Throughout this section, it has been coloured pink and red to give an unrealistic and dreamy look. Doing this is suitable for this scene as we are meant to be in 'paradise'.

The second part of the short film is Adam and Eve placed in modern LA. During this part, Lana Del Rey is voice overing Walt Whitman's 'I Sing the Body Electric', with visuals have Eve as a stripper, and Adam as a gang member, who is also works in a run down convenience store. Although not a typical representation of Paradise, there are references throughout that mimic such as in the store there is a sign that says 'El Paraiso' meaning 'The Paradise'. After the poem has been read, the second song starts called 'Gods and Monsters'.

'In the land of Gods and Monsters

I was an angel

Living in the garden of evil'

This song does have many meanings, but one that I think suits the most is where the 'Gods' are the celebrities, that are worshipped and looked after because they are famous. And the 'Monsters' are the addictions, sinners and all the other trouble that comes into the world, which references the 'Garden of Evil'. However, soon 'Gods' can come into 'Monsters' because humans are greedy and we all want money and fame. And because the celebrities are already celebrities she thinks 'No one's gonna take my soul away', in this case because God is dead, she isn't afraid of losing her soul.

After the song, the story carries on with Adam leading his gang to perform a robbery on a group of rich business men. During this, Lana Del Rey recites 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg. The ending of this second part is the group looking out towards LA. In the end she says:

'Los Angeles, The city of Angels, A land of Gods and Monsters, The in-between realm where only the choices made from your free will, will decide your souls final fate
Some poets called it the entrance to the Underworld, but on some summer nights, it could feel like Paradise, Paradise Lost.'

In the third part of the story the colours change to warm tones and the setting of fields and mountains is much more relaxing than the gritty setting we had previously seen. We are greeted by John Wayne who is voicing over 'Why I Love America' by John Mitchum - 'You ask me why I love her? Well give me time, I'll explain. Have you ever seen a Kansas sunset or an Arizona rain?' Adam and Eve are shown to drive up to a field, changing their black clothes to white and clips cut to them being baptised. Showing us the bad turning into good. Lana Del Rey' song Bel Air begins to play as the pair are dancing in the field.

'Roses, Bel Air, take me there

I've been waiting to meet you

Palm trees in the light, I can see, late at night

Darling, I'm waiting to greet you

Come to me, baby'

This song represents death in general. With the symbol of roses that are a common part of funerals. Bel Air is a place where the wealthy people live, and that goes back to the meaning of money, which is the root of evil and can make the 'Gods' into 'Monsters'. This could turn Bel Air into hell. Thirdly, the symbol of palm trees is of victory and eternal life. This could represent what Satan offered her in exchange of her soul, she gained victory and eternal life.

After the song finishes, Adam and Eve ascend back into heaven, as they have finally redeemed themselves. In a slight turns of events a flying saucer appears, the video goes black and white. And Elvis is singing 'you were always on my mind'. The screen goes black and that is the end to the story.

Final Thoughts-

Although I could never make such a high quality short film, as I have a limited budget and only five minutes. However, I do like the idea of redemption and it doesn't have to necessarily been the whole story. But perhaps focusing on the part where a character decides to redeem themselves either back to a good place or back to God.