HAIM Release Their Short Film (or Long Music Video) ‘Valentine,’ Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
A few months ago, we learned that Paul Thomas Anderson had teamed up with the immensely talented ladies of the band HAIM for a short film, which was played in front of 35mm screenings of movies like Baby Driver and Dunkirk this summer. If you didn’t manage to catch those, good news: HAIM just released the whole 14-minute film, “Valentine,” on their YouTube channel.
The short film consists of three music videos, including their “Right Now” music video which Anderson directed and released earlier this summer. Two others, “Nothing’s Wrong” and “Something to Tell You,” were made in the same simplistic, zero-effects style and recorded live in Hollywood’s Valentine Recording Studios — hence the title. Because there aren’t really any visuals to speak of aside from PTA’s moody, long tracking shot style, the film serves as a testament to Este Haim, Danielle Haim, and Alana Haim’s incredible vocal and musical abilities. Take it from someone who’s tried (and failed): it’s hard to play an instrument and sing at the same time.
This isn’t the first music video Anderson has made, and it certainly won‘t be his last, but it’s unique in the simple way it shows off the music it showcases. Very few other videos act as testaments to their artists’ expertise in quite the same way as this one does, just by allowing the Haim sisters to hang out in a studio and do what they do best. And stick around for a rousing drum routine over the credits.