Avicii: True Stories is in select theaters on December 14th, 2018.
Avicii: True Stories, while made before he had taken his own life, now has an even stronger message that can be felt through the entire film. It’s truly an eye opening depiction of mental health and the talented people we regard as celebrities. This film provides you with an inside view of someone who’s love and talent for creating music is pitted against his struggle with touring and constant fame.
Avicii, born Tim Bergling, was born in Stockholm Sweden and began his career as an electronic DJ at the age of 16. From the start of the film you get a strong sense that this young and timid soon to be star, is not the normal personality you would expect from the DJ’s today. Despite that, he goes on to become one of the largest talents in the industry in a few short years. You follow his journey from his massive hit “Levels” through his jam packed touring schedule and it becomes clear the toll it takes on him. He says during an interview, “Obviously, I am Avicii, but then at the same time, people’s perception of who Aviccii is isn’t who Tim is.” Between hospitalizations, anxiety and non-stop shows you get a sincere glimpse of these battling personas. With commentary from his childhood friends and other musicians such as Laidback Luke and Nile Rodgers you get a true feel of the genius behind his music and the tragedy that the life of touring imposed on him.
I watched the film as a fan of Avicii’s music and having seen him live a few times, and I was shocked to learn the things I did. Seeing his path unfold through this documentary came with bitter nostalgia each time I would hear a song I recognized or an event I had only read about through the media. With such a strong obligation to his fan base, management and friends, there is no doubt that Tim did all he could to battle through his own demons. While it’s tragic to know he lost that battle in the end, the film left me with a beautiful picture of who he was as a friend, musician and above all else, as a person we can all relate to. If you are a fan of his music you will enjoy this tribute to him and learn so much about who he was. If not, you will still see a demonstration of just how fragile the people we regard as heroes really are.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Gerard (Contributor) is a New York Native who has worked as a freelance contractor for television shows on Netflix, MTV, TLC and several other networks. You'll find him keeping up on the latest Game of Thrones theories, writing his own short films or re-watching The Office for the hundredth time. Fool me once, strike one, but fool me twice...strike three.Click Here to check out Gerard's Articles.