SVT opens the Roxette archive – and it’s a real treat for everyone who grew up with The Look and Joyride! In the new documentary series Per och Marie – historien om Roxette we follow the duo’s journey from Halmstad to the world’s biggest arenas, and the same day sees the release of a brand new concert film from 1991.
It is hard to imagine a Swedish pop fairytale that beats Roxette’s. Two friends from Halmstad who together wrote themselves into music history, with songs that are still played on the radio, at parties and through headphones around the world. Now SVT is inviting viewers to a proper Roxette celebration, with both a new documentary series and a concert film from the band’s heyday. Both premiere on 19 November on SVT Play, according to SVT.
Per and Marie – the story of Roxette
The documentary series Per och Marie – historien om Roxette consists of three parts and tells the story of Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, two artists who together created one of Sweden’s biggest international music successes. The series takes its starting point in their friendship in Halmstad and follows the journey via the first Roxette single in 1986 to the international breakthrough and the major world tours. It also portrays Marie’s comeback after her illness – a chapter that many fans carry with them.
What makes the series extra special is the material. The documentary is built on an extensive private archive of films and images, much of which has rarely been shown before – some of it has never been shown at all. We get to follow along into the studio and onto the tour bus, and relive music videos, TV appearances and the moments behind the international success.
Marie can be heard through previous interviews
Marie Fredriksson, who passed away in 2019, features through interviews recorded previously. Per Gessle appears in newly recorded interviews in which he talks about their shared journey – from the dreams in Halmstad to the sold-out arenas.
Around them gathers a number of people who have been close to the duo over the years. Among those taking part are Åsa Gessle, Marie Dimberg, Eva Dahlgren, Efva Attling, Jonas Åkerlund, Clarence Öfwerman, Anders Herrlin, Kjell Andersson, Christoffer Lundquist, Mikael Bolyos and Marie Fredriksson’s sister Tina. In other words, it becomes a portrait seen through the eyes of family, friends, musicians and colleagues.
The executive producer is Martin Vårdstedt and the project manager is Marion Jernråda at SVT.
Concert film from the 1991 Joyride tour
But SVT’s Roxette venture doesn’t stop there. On the same day as the documentary series premieres, the new concert film Roxette – Live in Sydney is released, which takes us straight back to the time when Roxette were one of the hottest bands in the world.
At the end of 1991, the duo found themselves in the midst of the great Join the Joyride World Tour, playing at large arenas across Australia, including in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Now, SVT has gained access to extensive and rarely seen raw footage from three of the concerts.
And it is no small treasure trove. The material comprises around 85 hours of film spread across approximately 100 reels, recorded on both 35 mm and 16 mm, together with multi-channel sound. After restoration and re-editing, it has become a brand new concert film where we get to experience Roxette live right in the midst of their international heyday.
More than Live-Ism
Those familiar with Roxette’s history may recall that the concert at Sydney Entertainment Centre on 13 December 1991 was recorded back then, and that parts of the material were released on the video Live-Ism in 1992. The new concert film, however, draws on considerably more material from three concerts – and offers a unique chance to relive Roxette on stage during one of the band’s most successful periods.
The TV version will be approximately one hour long and will feature around 14–15 songs. In addition, a longer cinema version is being produced – so anyone dreaming of seeing Roxette on the big screen can start hoping.
The concert film is directed by Henrik Burman at SVT and produced by PINE, with Marion Jernråda as executive producer and project manager.
Source: metromode.se
