Billie Eilish has teamed up with Disney Plus for a new concert film, Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles. Co-directed by Spy Kids’ Robert Rodriguez and Oscar-winning director Patrick Osborne, the film follows the musician’s performance at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl alongside conductor Gustavo Duhamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonics orchestra.
In anticipation of the film’s September 3 release date, the first trailer has arrived.
The 38-second teaser – which flips between an animated version of the pop star and the performance – opens with Eilish discussing her relationship with Los Angeles and herself. “(It’s) a self-reflection about growth,” she says. “I’ve definitely romanticised Los Angeles.” The musician continues: “We all have these idealised versions of ourselves in our heads. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
In a statement, the singer noted her excitement for the film’s release. “Disney is incredibly iconic, so to collaborate on something like this is a huge honour,” she explained. “To be able to present my album in this way and dedicate it to the city that I love and grew up in is so exciting to me. I hope you love it.”
The trailer also teases an on-stage appearance by Billie’s brother and long-time collaborator, Finneas, performing single “NDA” from her forthcoming album, Happier Than Ever. Earlier this month, the singer released the “NDA” music video, which features a self-directed one-shot take of Eilish dodging speeding cars on a busy road at night.
Besides “NDA”, the artist released singles, “My Future”, “Therefore I Am”, “Your Power”, and “Lost Cause” – which was accompanied by a video which saw the singer accused of queerbaiting. The full When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? follow-up album will be released on July 30.
On The Late Show with Stephen Cobert, the singer revealed that the record was made entirely during lockdown. “I don’t think I would have made the same album, or even the album at all, if it weren’t for COVID,” she said. “That doesn’t mean it’s about COVID at all, it’s just that, when things are different in your life, you’re different. That’s just how it is. So, I have to thank COVID for that, and that’s about it.”
Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles is available on Disney Plus September 3. Check out the trailer below.