Lana Del Rey’s “Ride” Video: Watch The Sweeping Short Film Here

Sam Lansky | October 12, 2012 5:44 am

Lana Del Rey‘s latest single “Ride” is as big and melodramatic as anything in her catalog, so it was safe to expect that the music video would be similarly expansive in its scope. After debuting the clip in Santa Monica on Wednesday night, it premiered on Vevo this morning — and as promised, “Ride” is a 10-minute short film, shot in the desert of Nevada. What’s surprising is how successfully “Ride” takes the nostalgic theatricality of Del Rey’s public persona and amplifies it, creating a mini-masterpiece of sweeping grandeur.

Her voiceover, set against haunting shots of Del Rey walking alone in the slums of Vegas juxtaposed with glorious, sun-dappled motorcycle rides through the desert, creates a portrait of a girl with a real bad case of wanderlust: “There’s no use in talking to people who have a home,” she whispers. “They have no idea what it’s like to seek safety in other people, for home to be wherever you lie your head.” Gorgeously directed by Anthony Mandler — who also helmed her “National Anthem” clip — the video for “Ride” elevates Del Rey’s sad-noir-girl shtick to a majestic level, with dazzling effects. Watch it above.