‘Avicii – I’m Tim’ Review | A Profound Portrait of a Departed Artist

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In the 2010s, Swedish DJ producer Avicii’s genre-blending dance music, ranging from “Levels” and “Wake Me Up” to “Hey Brother,” was ubiquitous, echoing from radio stations and EDM festivals worldwide. At some point, everyone must have found themselves humming to his catchy beats, which he started creating as a teenager using FL Studio software. In 2024, Netflix’s documentary titled “Avicii – I’m Tim,” directed by filmmaker Henrik Burman, offers a glimpse into the lesser-known aspects of the late Grammy-nominated artist’s life, who worked with music legends such as Madonna, Chris Martin from Coldplay, and Jon Bon Jovi throughout his ten-year career.

Tim Bergling, born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1989, grew up as a shy, introverted individual who found it challenging to forge connections with his peers. However, he discovered solace and artistic liberation in the realm of electronic music production. With a passion for melodies pulsating within him, this self-declared “melody enthusiast” was recognized for his exceptional talent at just 17 years old. This recognition swiftly propelled him into the vibrant, drug-infused world of nightlife and EDM, where he eventually became a celebrated figure.

As spectators follow the journey of a reticent Stockholm native, adorned in plaid button-downs, ascending to fame, the film “Avicii – I’m Tim” emerges as a poignant portrayal of a tormented artist. It showcases a prodigious fish out of water, serving as a cautionary tale that sensitively addresses pertinent matters such as the cost of fame and wealth, enduring pain in secret, the lonely existence of an artistic identity, and feelings of being an imposter. Despite this, it effectively achieves its main purpose – to celebrate Avicii’s life and work.

A Reserved Computer Nerd Becomes an Unlikely EDM Pioneer

Through heartbreaking and frustrating moments, the documentary “Avicii – I’m Tim” will captivate house music enthusiasts and newcomers to Avicii alike, offering a glimpse into the distinctive mind of this exceptional artist. Over years of personal footage, insights from friends, family, and collaborators, and Avicii’s own words, viewers get an inside look at the intricate, perfectionist approach of this mysterious figure in music and pop culture. The documentary also sheds light on the compassionate side of DJing, a aspect often underappreciated.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: In the world of DJing, I found that mastering the technical aspects was relatively straightforward. However, it was my long-time manager, Arash “Ash” Pournouri, who taught me the art of reading a room and sensing a crowd’s energy and desires. I came to realize that each place has its unique musical preferences. As Avicii, I learned this crucial skill through guidance from industry experts and my innate ability to create captivating and heartfelt digital art. Interestingly, despite my success in understanding the masses, there were times when even I was misunderstood, particularly by those closest to me – a theme that resonates deeply within the film’s core.

Angst & Alienation: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young DJ

Over extended periods of globe-trotting, with his laptop seemingly permanently attached, strained Avicii’s psychological wellbeing. The public observed him persistently gazing at screens and rapidly pressing buttons, striving tirelessly to create everlasting music that resonated deeply within him under tight deadlines. Sleep deprivation and burnout took their toll, leaving the acclaimed musician visibly emaciated with hollow cheeks and lifeless eyes on stage. The music industry’s focus on quantities over quality, constant performance demands, and the exuberant nightlife culture pushed the previously abstinent artist towards alcohol and painkillers in a frantic bid to alleviate crushing anxiety.

This documentary’s triumph lies in its heartfelt admiration for Avicii. It delicately portrays his battles with mental health issues, physical decline, and addiction without sensationalizing them, given that Avicii himself wanted these struggles shared with the public. The film avoids reducing him to a stereotype of a tragic yet beloved artist who succumbed to substance abuse, instead offering a complex and nuanced portrayal of his life.

As a film critic, I find it poignant to reflect on the life of Avicii – a man whose electronic beats echoed the rhythm of countless hearts. Yet beneath the pulsating melodies lay a soul yearning for connection, a mind struggling with the gilded, breakneck pace of stardom. Despite amassing a fortune most only dream of at 28, he was not immune to feelings of isolation and unease in his own skin – experiences that resonate deeply with many.

‘Avicii – I’m Tim’ Refuses to Make Its Subject a Dismal Artist Stereotype

In the movie titled “Avicii – I’m Tim“, we witness a heart-wrenching journey as Tim gradually merges with the Avicii character, a role that progressively haunted him. It seems like Avicii consumed Tim entirely, leaving behind a talented artist bereft of his resilience and inner happiness. The Avicii persona eventually became a suffocating mask; it’s a deeply human struggle that resonates through the screen. Yet, for what appears to be the first time, unseen footage offers the public a glimpse into Tim’s struggle to escape the constraints of mainstream fame and find tranquility.

Following his father’s account of a prolonged procedure that was “extremely agonizing,” Avicii decided to step away from touring in 2016. His goal was to find ultimate peace, so after the intervention he enrolled in an inpatient treatment program for addiction, sought counseling and medical guidance, changed his eating habits, traveled extensively, spent quality time with loved ones, delved into meditation, regularly played the guitar and piano (as not playing an instrument made Avicii feel insecure as a musician), among other things.

Regrettably, in April 2018, Tim Bergling passed away during a solitary journey to Oman. The movie “Avicii – I’m Tim” skillfully recounts his life story with sensitivity and tact, steering clear of graphic details about his death and potentially distressing language. It delves into the complexities of mental illness but manages to maintain a focus on Tim Bergling’s existence beyond Avicii. The film sensitively explores his internal struggles, yet refrains from exploiting or trivializing them, thus avoiding the sensationalism often associated with documentaries like “Behind the Music.

Avicii’s musical preferences ranged extensively, encompassing artists like Diana Ross and Creedence Clearwater Revival. This broad taste fostered his skill in combining different genres. Avicii is remembered for contributing to the acceptance of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), integrating it with emotion and creativity. His posthumous 2019 album, TIM, marked as his most intimate work, continues to reflect Avicii’s relentless pursuit of musical innovation, creating “timeless music,” and inspiring both audiences and himself. In essence, Avicii – I’m Tim is a heartfelt music documentary, powered by an emotional core. You can stream it on Netflix via the link provided below:

[Netflix Link]

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2025-01-07 03:01