On June 1st, Netflix launched an exciting new film — A Beautiful Life (2023). Danish pop star Christopher showcases his musical talent as he makes his leading role debut in this emotional romantic drama about music’s healing powers. He wrote and sang all the songs for A Beautiful Life, which was directed by Mehdi Avaz and written by Stefan Jaworski.
When Elliott (Christopher), a young fisherman with a hidden talent and an extraordinary voice gets discovered at a party by Suzanne, a high-profile music producer who is willing to give him the chance of a lifetime, he must decide if he is ready to open himself up to stardom — and love.
The film’s Official Teaser shows Christopher as Elliott singing his first song, Hope This Song Is For You, followed by the Official Trailer in Danish with English subtitles. That same trailer, and the film, are now available in English on Netflix.
It doesn’t matter who you are. What really does is who you become.
One of the main messages of the film comes out when Suzanne responds to her business partner’s doubts about Elliott. She sees his raw talent, his great potential, and assures Patrick: “It doesn’t matter who you are. The important thing is who you can become.”
“Who do you sing for when you sing?”
Suzanne asks her estranged daughter Lilly, who also heard Elliott sing, to collaborate with him, to produce his music. Their personalities clash and they get off to a rocky start. One of the first things Lilly asks him is, “Who do you sing for when you sing?” Puzzled, Elliott offers no answer.
She explains what makes a song significant, how to communicate it to an audience for it to resonate with them. This insider information is new to Elliott who listens without responding, taking it all in. This is the creative core that will powerfully manifest in the final scene and song of the film. Here is that explanation.
Imagine there’s someone you’re singing to. Someone you’re singing for.
“A song doesn’t just exist. It comes to life. Between two people. One who sings and one who listens. Whether you’re here in the studio or in a big, packed stadium with thousands of fans. You’re not performing for nothing. You have to choose a person, or you have to imagine there’s someone you’re singing to. Someone you’re singing for. If you’re not singing for anyone, then it’s all the same. Then, the song doesn’t exist. Then you don’t exist.”
The song is powerful because it personalizes the universal cycle of life, love, and loss into a story, expressing feelings an audience can relate to.
This is songwriting at its best. One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It put a lump in my throat and moved me to tears. It is so good it deserves a Grammy award and at least an Oscar nod if not a win!
Listen to A Beautiful Life here along with the lyrics below.
A Beautiful Life "Baby, I'm pregnant" she said And I saw my whole life Flash before my eyes So much for planning ahead We gon' be all right There won't be a right time Oh, I said, "I am way too young" I'm just a kid, I can't raise one It feels like my life is over Feels like my future's crushed And I'm gonna miss the times when It was just the two of us I don't ever want to let go Of everything that I love It sure feels like dying Saying goodbye To my beautiful life "Daddy, I can't sleep," she said Can you leave the light on? And please sing me my song And I can't help but think to myself Those green eyes and brown curls Turned into my whole world She's growing up so fast If only I could make it last It feels like my life is over Feels like my future's crushed 'Cause my baby's getting older Tomorrow she'd be all grown up I don't ever want to let go Of everything that I love I turn off the lights And say goodnight To my beautiful life Pack the bags and ready to go We look at each other She looks like her mother Off to chase dreams of her own She cries in the backseat As we wave at the taxi Oh, our baby's moving out Leaving this home an empty house Feels like my life is over Feels like my future's crushed And I'm gonna miss the times when It was just the three of us I don't ever want to let go Of everything that I love It sure feels like dying Saying goodbye To my beautiful life To my beautiful life "Baby, I'm pregnant" she said And I saw my whole life Flash before my eyes You can listen to the other songs in the film's Soundtrack on Spotify. Or choose your own music service at https://christopher.lnk.to/ABeautifulLife. And visit Christopher's YouTube channel for excerpts of songs from the film. Today, on June 8th, Christopher premiered a new Official Music Video for the film on his YouTube channel with A Beautiful Life.