Girls On Film

Duran Duran's 'Girls On Film' is a vivid portrayal of the glamorous yet often exploitative world of modeling and fame. The song opens with a striking image of models walking hand in hand across a bridge at midnight, with flashing lights capturing their every move. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the constant scrutiny and objectification that models face. The repeated phrase 'girls on film' underscores the idea that these women are constantly being watched and judged, their lives reduced to mere images on a screen.

The lyrics delve deeper into the darker side of this world, with lines like 'Lipstick cherry all over the lens as she's falling' and 'The diving man's coming up for air 'cause the crowd all love pulling dolly by the hair.' These images suggest a sense of loss of control and dehumanization, as the models are treated more like objects than people. The mention of 'miles of sharp blue water' and 'going under again' evokes a sense of drowning, both literally and metaphorically, in the pressures and expectations of the industry.

Despite the glamorous facade, the song hints at the emptiness and disillusionment that often accompany fame. The line 'Wider baby smiling, you've just made a million' suggests that success is measured in superficial terms, while the repeated refrain of 'girls on film' serves as a reminder of the fleeting and often hollow nature of this success. Duran Duran's new wave sound, characterized by its catchy melodies and synth-driven beats, adds a layer of irony to the song, contrasting the upbeat music with the darker themes of exploitation and objectification.