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Avicii, a name synonymous with the golden age of electronic dance music, is a story that has been often recounted via mainstream music outlets; while many fans have always been aware of his struggle between intense fame, his personal values for health or other non work related hobbies, that all ended abruptly and with some tragic undertones that only made his art all the more poignant in many aspects but those details were usually delivered via a non-personal method as they came from reporters, producers, friends but rarely via that individual that did live through those events so the choice for Netflix to launch two documentaries at once provides what feels almost like the real final word: his real story being presented with far greater context. Here we examine, analyze and discuss the value those two programs bring from various different production approach levels, to show how important their arrival has been for this musical icon.
"Avicii - I’m Tim", provides not simply a chronological timeline from Avicii's birth up until his death ( which in itself would be a typical format for other types of documentary series); instead it seeks to deliver far more value into his personal character and how he perceived his musical career, in great personal details with specific intent by using Avicii's very own narration throughout the experience, this design choice offers an intimate and extremely private perspective about who that man was beneath that world-wide famous image that we've seen from concert footage or media interviews. And that provides an unusual perspective most modern documentaries on media personalities never really deliver upon, here, that intimate view is delivered as if Avicii himself is talking directly with a close and trusting confidante friend; a listener rather than a 'watcher', so his story isn't purely 'information' or historical based as it is 'personal’ through deep ethical, personal and professional insights.
His family also plays a crucial role to add context ( often by offering many unseen home movies from different phases of life), or insights from his own personal closest friend which all combines to paint a very detailed picture of both that musical genius alongside his very human frailties as all these small elements from real life never before broadcast gives his known personal struggles, his battle for identity and self worth a truly personal framework with the constant struggles from a shy child becoming a rock star sensation while also being someone deeply troubled which all creates unique layers far more compelling and intriguing than usual biographies, and far more valuable than all past available information on the star. What results from it, becomes a moving human story about how fame can quickly morph into a source of isolation. That is quite unlike many celebrity focused pieces and that detail shows deep commitment by film makers to present Avicii rather than ‘a public figure.’
Whilst"Avicii – I’m Tim", focuses on what transpired during this mans short but intense life “Avicii – My Last Show" captures his final ever concert before he officially retires and does something almost revolutionary in how documentaries operate; the film does not present itself to build up something for its star; there are no real attempts at high drama or external factors that normally make it exciting or dramatic, instead this performance is given full center stage, completely unfiltered without interviews or opinions that attempt to bring context, as here, his art does its work and its this very core component that makes it feel special as all surrounding members seem to honor the very memory in what Avicii has often stated through 'Avicii – I'm Tim’, and that focus over ‘the performance' makes clear his dedication to his musical form ( rather than a simple job function).
What this film achieves mostly, and with greatest ease is it provides a deep and very specific insight of his live performances as we watch him do the one thing that brought all his fans, and as you’d come to understand during ‘I’m Tim' its a form of expression and dedication far more significant than mere business and financial decisions. By placing 'Avicii – My Last Show', into that greater context you don’t witness a 'concert', what transpires on your screen feels much more impactful: an individual giving a true personal act through that medium; with the energy from his final sets combined with the context delivered in ‘I’m Tim' it does give the watcher an emotional weight and response often hard to achieve on most tv or filmed content and all from only one individual delivering music, rather than any forced production choice as if Avicii himself was still in charge and directing what comes up on the screens even long after his death.
What Netflix's documentary combo does very clearly is showcase all themes at similar intensities; mental health issues and the price paid for success when that same success means a loss of core personal integrity in a system that seems only willing to reward or to celebrate, superficial and often emotionally damaging paths. Those two factors alone are more often associated with older formats of media and how fame can harm a given individual and that context usually comes only after ‘fame-and-fortune’ has reached peak status. These are all concepts from the distant past now put within this modern setting, so what ‘Avicii' had experienced, while a modern approach from modern mediums or platforms ( all via web and new communication devices), the overall core problem and issue hasn’t changed.
The value of using those two documentaries, working closely with one another is that the viewing experience changes as its a story about both an ‘artist and the art itself’. The core elements of his success and the reasons for it can be better understood while witnessing him actively playing what made him that unique musical character during 'My Last Show'; to see the result and product of a life often hidden from viewers as a single item rather than isolated separated formats elevates their shared viewing experience, where each story highlights a different perspective of an individual constantly battling to keep a firm grasp over both worlds: private values vs public duties all while facing intense struggles. Through this methodology the viewing and analysis approach can never simply end only after watching the program. You are expected ( or rather encouraged) to start your ‘understanding' only after the credits have passed over all, with no pre-determined end point because through Avicii these programs seem set into a constant self reflecting loop in its audience.
Netflix’s Avicii documentary isn’t just a recap of a famous DJ or musician, this pairing of documentaries offers both a tribute to the man behind the beats while presenting a strong moralistic tale about modern values clashing against older well established frameworks of how an artist often has to cope with constant high speed and demanding production models that can have some truly grave emotional cost, with both “I’m Tim” showcasing who he was and “My Last Show”, a final glimpse at why those shows resonated so well, their combined production provides for something almost akin to an official requiem for the talent that continues on inspiring artists that follow. That very important personal story transcends typical documentary structures by delivering a format where a subject, despite their loss has their core story told through their specific vision, rather than solely depending on third party interpretation; making ‘Avicii’ all the more potent for anyone that views, regardless of musical preference, through shared aspects of that ‘human condition’.
By showing a career ( at ‘Last Show’) next to a personal story ("I'm Tim) its these very elements of choice and creative methods that help the user fully accept and appreciate the complex duality of how someone who was beloved and known the world over also suffered so greatly on an internal personal setting creating a viewing experience so unique, making those titles a valuable component in our modern understanding for artistic driven creative careers within this constantly shifting technological world. These are valuable discussion points.