2. 1. The “Pussy Wagon” is a vehicle which derives from the film “Kill
Bill Vol.1”, Tarantino lent it to Lady Gaga.
3. 2. Lady Gaga addresses Beyonce as “Honey B” which is similar to a
name given to Pulp Fiction character: “Honey Bunny” – one of the
two robbers in the diner scene.
4. 3. The Diner scene also resembles opening scene of Pulp Fiction.
There are resemblances with Elle Driver who is the driver in Kill Bill Vol 1.,
Lady Gaga takes on a similar role. But whereas Elle Driver is dressed as a
nurse in order to kill a bride, Lady Gaga is dressed as a chef so she can
poison the customers – out of postmodernism Lady Gaga styles a
telephone for an eye-patch.
5. The Disney Mickey Mouse sunglasses are
not a coincidence, it draws reference to
Lady Gaga’s previous single “Telephone”.
Arguably there are Pop Culture
references, in terms of the sunglasses, as
both Lady Gaga and Beyonce wear them –
Lady Gaga has definitely succeeded in
branding herself so that intertexual links
between her work can be noticed by
audience members.
6. The ‘Telephone’ video pays homage to the film Death Proof, the
framing and setting fairly identical. In both films risqué
conversation between females take place.
7. Beyonce’s outfit is quite similar
to Wonder Woman’s.
Lady Gaga is challenging the
1950s stereotype of a ‘perfect’
housewife – which was portrayed
heavily in that era.
8. The lyrics sing “I'm not takin' no calls
‘cuz I'll be dancin'”, meanwhile
Beyonce is actually dancing whilst
singing along, helping to illustrate the
lyrics.
The choreography and pace of the
music are carefully and notably in
sync.
9. Medium shot of Lady Gaga entering a female
prison, accompanied by two butch-looking
women, as she appears to be ready to serve
her time for the supposed ‘crime(s)’
committed in previous video Paparazzi.
MLS: The stripping Lady Gaga is to reflect the
strip her of her persona, making her feel
vulnerable—naked. Her helplessness behind
bars is a statement about the trappings of
fame; this a theme continued from
“Paparazzi”. As the guards are exiting, one of
them address the rumours of her gender,
saying “I told you she didn't have a dick.”
10. XCU & MS: Gaga is then led into the prison
yard, covered in chains and glasses made of
smoking cigarettes. Her HeartBeat
headphones, from Beats by Dre, whilst
someone is deliberately playing her song
“Paper Gangsta” (A song about girl power “A
superwoman chick” – a rant about men who
don’t “follow through.”
MCU: Later on Gaga explores her sexuality,
only to later prompt her decision to hop on
the Pussy Wagon (Tarantino suggested she
use the iconic truck from Kill Bill).
The smoking glasses are there to cloud her
vision of reality, allowing her to base her
feelings on senses alone.
11. CU: Once chained down by her sexuality as
defined by society, we see Gaga come into
her own. A girl on girl fight captivated her as
she looks ahead; possibly insinuating she
lives in a world where men make women end
up in correctional facilities, where they turn
on one another instead of joining together
and embracing girl power – which later on
happens.
MLS: This dance break is to illustrate a
celebration of a new America - an America
that doesn’t discriminate against genders and
sexual orientation.
12. MLS: Lady Gaga dressed as a cheetah, with the Pussy Wagon behind
her. Perhaps this is supposed to represent that this world is
actually run by cats, women and she is evidently in the driver's
seat – as it is clear to that she is wearing a chauffeur's hat!
