The Weeknd on 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' Cinema Dreams, and Retiring the Persona

'Hurry Up Tomorrow': A Joyful Return to Filmmaking

• 🎬 Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) describes his new musical film, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' as having more joy and personal connection compared to his previous acting debut in 'The Idol.'
• ✨ He credits director Trey Edward Shults and co-star Jenna Ortega for bringing the joy back into filmmaking and making the project feel very personal.

Cinema as a Lifelong Passion

• 🌟 Tesfaye reiterates that cinema has always been his number one passion, viewing his music career as a "detour" to eventually make movies.
• 🎶 He notes the DNA of cinema is evident in his music, music videos, and performances, showing its long-standing influence.

Artistic Collaboration and Trust

• 🤝 Tesfaye and director Trey Edward Shults developed a deep friendship and trust, which was essential for the personal nature of the film.
• 💡 Shults was inspired by Tesfaye's vision and felt a natural, organic connection, similar to his early filmmaking experiences.
• 🎭 Jenna Ortega found working with Tesfaye inspiring, appreciating his ability to navigate different artistic mediums flawlessly.

Influences and Creative Process

• 🎞️ The film's creation was organic, with the album being inspired by the film, rather than the other way around.
• 🧠 Influences like 'Persona' and 'Toby Dammit' emerged naturally, as the goal was to create something fresh, different, and exciting.
• 🌌 Tesfaye always envisioned the project as the third part of a saga, aiming to tell a story that could conclude a narrative arc.

Artistic Evolution and 'The Weeknd' Persona

• 🎤 A personal incident led Tesfaye to re-evaluate his priorities and focus on his filmmaking aspirations.
• ⚠️ Losing his voice and its impact on his performances highlighted the need to address underlying issues, leading to the decision to retire 'The Weeknd' persona.
• 🚀 He feels he has said everything he can as 'The Weeknd' and is ready to take the next step, with this film serving as a guiding light.