Billie Eilish and James Cameron made a 3D concert film using technology that has never been seen before. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” in cinemas from May 7th.
Concert feeling in the cinema seat? This is what Billie Eilish promises her fans with the film “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour”, which will be shown in cinemas in Germany from May 7th.
A concert film in 3D – with James Cameron
The special thing about this documentation: It is a 3D production. It was directed by James Cameron, who is responsible for blockbusters such as “Avatar”, “Titanic” and the first two “Terminator” films. After the third “Avatar” film was released at the end of 2025 and was only moderately well received by audiences, another Cameron production can now be seen in cinemas in May. This raises two questions: How good is this film – and how did the collaboration between the singer and the renowned director come about?
How the collaboration came about
Billie Eilish originally didn’t want to film a concert video for her third tour. She told Elle: “At first I thought, ‘I don’t want to make a documentary,'” adding: “I made a documentary between the ages of 15 and 18, and I was just filmed non-stop for three years… I keep my private life very secret now.”
But then the musician got a call from her mother, who told her that James Cameron was a fan of her shows. He saw in her the potential to become part of the direction herself.
“I have developed great admiration and respect for her artistic ambition,” Cameron told Elle. “How she achieves her artistic goals – not only to create beautiful music, but also to be a great performer. It occurred to me that we should direct this film together.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
Behind the scenes of a world tour
The film is intended to cover all aspects of a major world tour and follows the artist during her shows at the Co-op Arena in Manchester. From setting up the stage to dismantling it, from performing the songs to preparations and breaks backstage.
The concert documentary accompanies Billie Eilish throughout: putting on make-up for the performance, warming up her voice, but also meeting fans with whom she wants to be very close – even though she has had to accept one or two injuries along the way. From scratches because their followers don’t want to let go of them, to falls. In the trailer, a group of fans can also be seen rushing to her after she posted a story on social media.
New standards through 3D technology
The most outstanding thing about the production is the three-dimensional shots, which require 3D glasses. Cameron explains in the trailer: “There’s never been a concert film made on this scale before; we’re using technology that’s never been used before.”
According to “Filmstarts”, the concert documentary has sharper 3D footage than any other: every fan – whether front row or rank – can be seen. Eilish sometimes films herself with a small hand-held camera that is smuggled onto the stage in a box – everything with a depth of field that no concert film has ever achieved. In doing so, the two set new standards for the genre.
With the help of 3D technology, as a film viewer you are part of the concert and the backstage experience like never before. The chances are good that other major artists will use the project as a model. However, this type of film was not entirely uncomplicated. As Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, reported, director Cameron sat in front of 16 screens during the recording to capture and stage this concert experience.
In any case, this is a special opportunity for fans to still catch the shows – after all, the tour was completely sold out and many probably didn’t get any more tickets.
