Releasing a Bollywood send-up in the wake of The Love Guru may seem like a terrible idea, but freaky folk artist Devendra Banhart has never let common sense get in the way of following his muse. And you have to respect a muse that calls for casting his real life girlfriend Natalie Portman in a lead role. The kitschy clip for "Carmensita" focuses on Lord Rajah The Malevolent, a hammy screen personality who looks and acts like an unholy cross between Ron Jeremy and Gene Simmons. He's all set to introduce Portman's princess character to his "homunculus wingding" when Banhart shows up to save the day. As expected, things don't go quite according to plan: Banhart's roving (third) eye inspires the lovely princess to seek revenge by transforming herself into a slimy octopus, but he turns out to be dedicated enough to see what it feels like to have eight arms to hold you. Other bits of absurdity include several dance routines, ludicrous subtitles and more more more. Production details remain mysterious, but if the introductory display of the Government Of India Central Board Of Film Certification is to be believed — and why wouldn't it? — this video is the work of a director named Skinny.
Go quest for him, even though I have a feeling he's related to Bernard Shakey and Nathaniel Hornblower, if you know what I mean. (update: Got the skinny on Skinny. Hang on)--> watch "Carmensita" via AOL Spinner
Devendra Banhart "Carmensita" (XL)
Skinny, directors | Stephanie Scire, producer | Scire & Co., production co. | Starr Whitesides, DP | Ghost Town Media, fx
