A-ha The Movie
In the first part of my interview with Thoman Robsahm about A-ha The Movie, we discussed how he engaged with Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar, and what he learned about how these very different personalities interacted. We talked about the vast scope of the project, which charts the band’s story across four decades, and how it was important to him to keep the focus on the music. In this second part, we discuss the band’s own musical influences, their various artistic side projects, and how he went about filming them onstage.
He almost left out the side projects, he says, because it would have been the obvious thing to drop if the film was too long, “but I feel that since this is a band so much about the different personalities. In some bands, you could argue that some of the members bring a lot less into.
In the first part of my interview with Thoman Robsahm about A-ha The Movie, we discussed how he engaged with Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar, and what he learned about how these very different personalities interacted. We talked about the vast scope of the project, which charts the band’s story across four decades, and how it was important to him to keep the focus on the music. In this second part, we discuss the band’s own musical influences, their various artistic side projects, and how he went about filming them onstage.
He almost left out the side projects, he says, because it would have been the obvious thing to drop if the film was too long, “but I feel that since this is a band so much about the different personalities. In some bands, you could argue that some of the members bring a lot less into.
- 5/27/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
A-Ha The Movie
With so many documentaries competing for critics’ attention every year, and with awards attention often going first and foremost to those which deal with heart-rending subjects, it’s difficult for music documentaries to make much noise. So when there’s as much positive word of mouth about one as A-ha The Movie, one sits up and listens. I caught this film at the Glasgow Film Festival earlier this year and was pleased to get the chance to talk to director Thomas Robsahm about it last week, as it’s now getting a well-deserved big screen release.
When he was 18, he was in a band himself, he tells me. “And some friends of mine had gone to London, like they always did, to buy records and see bands, and so on, and they had heard about these Norwegians who had gone over to try to make it. At that time so many.
With so many documentaries competing for critics’ attention every year, and with awards attention often going first and foremost to those which deal with heart-rending subjects, it’s difficult for music documentaries to make much noise. So when there’s as much positive word of mouth about one as A-ha The Movie, one sits up and listens. I caught this film at the Glasgow Film Festival earlier this year and was pleased to get the chance to talk to director Thomas Robsahm about it last week, as it’s now getting a well-deserved big screen release.
When he was 18, he was in a band himself, he tells me. “And some friends of mine had gone to London, like they always did, to buy records and see bands, and so on, and they had heard about these Norwegians who had gone over to try to make it. At that time so many.
- 5/21/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Actors Nikhil and Vishwak Sen unveiled the trailer of Aha’s original suspense thriller ‘Bloody Mary’. Starring Nivetha Pethuraj in the lead role, the ‘Bloody Mary’ trailer hints at a gripping story, which will start premiering on April 15 on Aha. The trailer starts with an intriguing tale and voice-over, while the next glimpses create much […]...
- 4/11/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
A band’s 40th anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, but learning that one of the groups to reach that milestone is the Norwegian trio a-ha might warrant not so much an achoo as a gasp, double take, or “Come again?”
Since 1985, we’ve all lived with the sparkling earworm of syncopation, synth and pop crooning that is the single “Take On Me,” the kind of breakout chart-topper (in 36 countries) that you just knew was going to define an era’s sugary, youthful romanticism. The dynamically conceptualized half-animated music video didn’t hurt its immortality campaign either, with lead singer Morten Harket’s chiseled, sensitive pouty-rebel presence — someone, please, help him! — destined to adorn teenage walls everywhere. a-ha was ‘80s MTV fame personified, but that song is also a truly great pop classic.
And yet, as Norwegian filmmaker and proud fan Thomas Robsahm’s affectionate documentary “a-ha: The Movie” reveals,...
Since 1985, we’ve all lived with the sparkling earworm of syncopation, synth and pop crooning that is the single “Take On Me,” the kind of breakout chart-topper (in 36 countries) that you just knew was going to define an era’s sugary, youthful romanticism. The dynamically conceptualized half-animated music video didn’t hurt its immortality campaign either, with lead singer Morten Harket’s chiseled, sensitive pouty-rebel presence — someone, please, help him! — destined to adorn teenage walls everywhere. a-ha was ‘80s MTV fame personified, but that song is also a truly great pop classic.
And yet, as Norwegian filmmaker and proud fan Thomas Robsahm’s affectionate documentary “a-ha: The Movie” reveals,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Robert Abele
- The Wrap
You’d think the songs that we call one-hit wonders — I’ve always applied the term interchangeably to bands and songs — would, by their nature, have the quality of novelty singles. A lot of them do, like “Come On Eileen” or “I’m Too Sexy” or “Spirit in the Sky” or “867-5309 (Jenny)” or “96 Tears.” But occasionally there’s a one-hit wonder that’s so transcendent it qualifies as one of the greatest pop songs you’ve ever heard — which makes it all the more mysterious that the band in question never came within a million miles of replicating its sublimity or success. I’m thinking of songs like “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba, “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, or the song that may be the greatest one-hit wonder of them all: “Take On Me” by the Norwegian synth-pop trio A-ha.
As the new documentary “A-ha: The Movie” makes clear,...
As the new documentary “A-ha: The Movie” makes clear,...
- 4/7/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Telugu star Pawan Kalyan’s recent movie ‘Bheemla Nayak’ will start streaming on Aha from February 25, and has started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar already. Congratulating the entire team of ‘Bheemla Nayak’, Allu Arjun shares a heartfelt message. ‘Pushpa’ actor Allu Arjun, who is currently prepping up to start shooting for the blockbuster movie ‘Pushpa’s sequel, […]...
- 3/24/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Vijay Deverakonda of “Arjun Reddy” fame will launch the trailer of Priyamani’s upcoming thriller, “Bhama Kalapam”, on Monday. The web movie is an Aha original, which is being presented by Bharath Kamma of “Dear Comrade”. The makers, who took to their social media platforms to make the announcement, said: “Rowdy @TheDeverakonda will launch the trailer […]...
- 1/30/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Christina Ricci’s upcoming aquatic horror film “Monstrous” is set to premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) in March.
Ricci plays a domestic abuse victim fleeing with her 7-year-old soon who soon encounters a terrifying monster living nearby. It is directed by Chris Sivertson (“All Cheerleaders Die”) and written by Carol Chrest (“The Prophet’s Game”).
Also having their world premieres at the festival, which is in its 18th edition, are “Skint,” from Peter Mullan and “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee, “Wake Up Punk” from Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s son Joe Corré, “Pictures from Iraq” about war photographer David Pratt and “Adult Adoption,” a debut film from Karen Knox.
Mark Rylance starrer “The Outfit” will open Gff while family drama “Murina,”direct by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic and executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, will close it.
Altogether the line-up includes 10 World premieres, 4 European premieres, 65 U.K. premieres, and 13 Scottish premieres.
Ricci plays a domestic abuse victim fleeing with her 7-year-old soon who soon encounters a terrifying monster living nearby. It is directed by Chris Sivertson (“All Cheerleaders Die”) and written by Carol Chrest (“The Prophet’s Game”).
Also having their world premieres at the festival, which is in its 18th edition, are “Skint,” from Peter Mullan and “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee, “Wake Up Punk” from Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s son Joe Corré, “Pictures from Iraq” about war photographer David Pratt and “Adult Adoption,” a debut film from Karen Knox.
Mark Rylance starrer “The Outfit” will open Gff while family drama “Murina,”direct by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic and executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, will close it.
Altogether the line-up includes 10 World premieres, 4 European premieres, 65 U.K. premieres, and 13 Scottish premieres.
- 1/27/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lightyear Entertainment has acquired two documentaries that made their world premieres at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival: Thomas Robsahm’s A-ha: The Movie and Eddie Martin’s We Were Once Kids. The former will open in theaters across the U.S. and Canada on April 8, with the latter set for release in May.
A-ha: The Movie celebrates the 40th anniversary of the synth-pop band’s irresistible single “Take on Me,” which is still one of the most played songs of the last millennium. The musicians from small-town Norway became global sensations and heartthrobs overnight when they released the song and its groundbreaking pencil-sketch animation video, seeing their newfound fame overshadow their original dream to make music. In the years since, each has taken separate roads to get back to what they loved most.
A-ha has released 15 albums to date, which have sold more than 55 million copies. The band has also earned eight MTV Awards,...
A-ha: The Movie celebrates the 40th anniversary of the synth-pop band’s irresistible single “Take on Me,” which is still one of the most played songs of the last millennium. The musicians from small-town Norway became global sensations and heartthrobs overnight when they released the song and its groundbreaking pencil-sketch animation video, seeing their newfound fame overshadow their original dream to make music. In the years since, each has taken separate roads to get back to what they loved most.
A-ha has released 15 albums to date, which have sold more than 55 million copies. The band has also earned eight MTV Awards,...
- 12/20/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
TollywoodThe makers have also revealed that Akhanda is all set for theatrical release on December 2 in the Telugu states.Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTube The makers of Tollywood star Nandamuri Balakrishna and director Boyapati Srinu’s upcoming film Akhanda released the film’s trailer on Sunday, November 14. The trailer was released at 7.09 pm on the official YouTube channel of DwarakaCreations, as earlier announced by the makers. Along with the trailer’s release, the makers have also revealed that Akhanda is all set for theatrical release on December 2, 2021 in the Telugu states. According to Dwaraka Creation, the production and post-production formalities for Akhanda are finished, and promotions for the film have begun. Releasing the trailer on social media, Dwaraka Creations tweeted saying, “Mass Madness has begun! Here's the MASSive #AkhandaTrailerRoar #NandamuriBalakrishna garu In Mass Avatar. Roaring on Big Screens from 02/12/2021.” With this movie, Balakrishna and Boyapati have collaborated for the third time,after Simha and Legend,...
- 11/15/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
After the Viking conquest at July’s Cannes Festival, where Norway (“The Worst Person in the World”), Finland (“Compartment No. 6”) and Iceland (“Lamb”) collected kudos, more than 60 possible gems from the North are to be unveiled at the hybrid market New Nordic Films which will unspool over Aug. 24-27.
Scandinavia’s major film showcase, New Nordic Films runs parallel to Haugesund’s Norwegian Intl. Film Festival, which takes place Aug. 21-27.
Sony Pictures Classics’ Finnish pick-up “Compartment No. 6”, a Grand Jury Prize co-winner in Cannes, is set to kick-start the annual event and lead the pack of 24-plus finished titles. Most pics will screen online only, except those bowing in Haugesund cinemas as well, as fest official selections, such as “The Innocents,” “The Gravedigger’s Wife,” “Margrete-Queen of the North,” and “a-ha-The Movie.”
“It’s been a bit hard to finalize the market screenings, due to social distancing measures still in place in cinemas,...
Scandinavia’s major film showcase, New Nordic Films runs parallel to Haugesund’s Norwegian Intl. Film Festival, which takes place Aug. 21-27.
Sony Pictures Classics’ Finnish pick-up “Compartment No. 6”, a Grand Jury Prize co-winner in Cannes, is set to kick-start the annual event and lead the pack of 24-plus finished titles. Most pics will screen online only, except those bowing in Haugesund cinemas as well, as fest official selections, such as “The Innocents,” “The Gravedigger’s Wife,” “Margrete-Queen of the North,” and “a-ha-The Movie.”
“It’s been a bit hard to finalize the market screenings, due to social distancing measures still in place in cinemas,...
- 8/13/2021
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Swiss-based sales outfit First Hand Films has added major territories to Tribeca and Haugesund entry “A-ha: The Movie” doc, helmed by Thomas Robsahm together with Aslaug Holm (“Generation Utøya”).
Lighthouse Entertainment has snapped rights for the U.S., Modern Films for the U.K., A Contracorriente for Spain, Periscoop for Benelux, Pannania for Hungary and Side Project Production for Taiwan.
Earlier distribution deals were closed with Germany (Salzgeber), Japan (Klockworx), Korea (Company L), Poland (Mayfly), Norway (Euforia), Sweden (TriArt), Denmark (Øst for Paradis), with First Hand Films’ own distribution shingle in charge of the Swiss premiere.
The Norwegian doc is a candid and close look at the iconic Norwegian pop band A-ha, behind the 1985 hit “Take on Me.” The pic follows founding members Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen and Morten Harket through their creative clashes, ambitions and stormy relationships.
Robsahm, a seasoned director-producer,behind Joachim Trier’s Cannes competition hit “The Worst Person in the World,...
Lighthouse Entertainment has snapped rights for the U.S., Modern Films for the U.K., A Contracorriente for Spain, Periscoop for Benelux, Pannania for Hungary and Side Project Production for Taiwan.
Earlier distribution deals were closed with Germany (Salzgeber), Japan (Klockworx), Korea (Company L), Poland (Mayfly), Norway (Euforia), Sweden (TriArt), Denmark (Øst for Paradis), with First Hand Films’ own distribution shingle in charge of the Swiss premiere.
The Norwegian doc is a candid and close look at the iconic Norwegian pop band A-ha, behind the 1985 hit “Take on Me.” The pic follows founding members Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen and Morten Harket through their creative clashes, ambitions and stormy relationships.
Robsahm, a seasoned director-producer,behind Joachim Trier’s Cannes competition hit “The Worst Person in the World,...
- 8/11/2021
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
A feature documentary on Norwegian “Take On Me” singers A-ha will receive a worldwide release this November.
“A-ha: The Movie,” distributed internationally by Esther van Messel’s First Hand Films, will be broadcast in theaters around the world on Nov. 26, with Germany’s Salzgeber releasing the film locally and First Hand Films handling the release in Switzerland. Deals are also under way for South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Israel, Iceland and Sweden.
The premiere will be accompanied by a live-streaming event of never-before-seen footage from the band’s videos. A-ha will also perform a concert in the Norwegian capital on Nov. 28.
News of the planned global release follows the announcement of A-ha’s hit song “Take On Me” surpassing one billion views on YouTube.
The iconic video combines live action with pencil-sketch animation, and is the second song from the 1980s to reach one billion views, on the heels of...
“A-ha: The Movie,” distributed internationally by Esther van Messel’s First Hand Films, will be broadcast in theaters around the world on Nov. 26, with Germany’s Salzgeber releasing the film locally and First Hand Films handling the release in Switzerland. Deals are also under way for South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Israel, Iceland and Sweden.
The premiere will be accompanied by a live-streaming event of never-before-seen footage from the band’s videos. A-ha will also perform a concert in the Norwegian capital on Nov. 28.
News of the planned global release follows the announcement of A-ha’s hit song “Take On Me” surpassing one billion views on YouTube.
The iconic video combines live action with pencil-sketch animation, and is the second song from the 1980s to reach one billion views, on the heels of...
- 2/23/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
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