By Karen James
In a surprising move, Taylor Swift has tapped Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles, stars of the beloved 1989 film Dead Poets Society, for her latest music video. The classic movie, released the same year Swift was born, appears to have inspired the title of her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department.
The music video for Swift’s new song “Fortnight” takes viewers on a visually-stunning journey. It begins with Swift waking up in an asylum, chained to a bed in a white gown. But as the video progresses, she transforms, wiping her face to reveal intricate tattoos and changing into a black gown.
The video then cuts to Swift entering an office-like room filled with typewriters, where she encounters rapper Post Malone, with whom she collaborates on the track. The duo embrace on a lone highway before being engulfed in a swirling tornado of loose papers.
Hawke and Charles have cameo appearances as scientists in lab coats, reminiscent of their characters in Dead Poets Society. As the two “operate” on Swift, a machine measuring her brain waves spells out a lyric from the song: “I love you, it’s ruining my life.”
Hawke, who portrayed Todd Anderson in the award-winning film, expressed his excitement to work with Swift and Charles on social media. Swift herself admitted to being thrilled to collaborate with the “coolest guys on earth” and thanked them for joining her in the “Tortured Poets Department.”
The “Fortnight” music video is filled with metaphors and references to various songs on Swift’s album. A black dog roams aimlessly in the science lab, potentially alluding to her track “The Black Dog.”
Aside from Hawke and Charles, British group Florence + The Machine also features on Swift’s 11th studio album, collaborating on a track titled “Florida!!!” Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine expressed her honor to be a part of the project, calling Swift’s album a “department” she was proud to join.
Swift’s album has already broken records on streaming platforms, becoming Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day, while Swift also became the most-streamed artist in a single day in Spotify history.
The album, which explores themes of love and heartbreak, is rumored to reference her relationships with British actor Joe Alwyn and The 1975 star Matty Healy in its lyrics. Fans eagerly await the release of The Tortured Poets Department and “Fortnight,” which promises to be a visually captivating and emotionally evocative journey through Swift’s creative mind.
