Paradigm Signs Director Levan Tsikurishvili; ‘Avicii: True Stories’ Doc Gets Netflix Release & Oscar-Qualifying Run

EXCLUSIVE: Paradigm has signed Swedish filmmaker Levan Tsikurishvili, director of music doc-biopic Avicii: True Stories, about the late Swedish DJ Tim Bergling, aka Avicii.

Tsikurishvili’s revealing all-access feature was sold to multiple international markets in 2016 and 2017 but will now get an Oscar-qualifying run in Los Angeles from December 14 and New York from December 21. The film’s backers have made the bookings directly with theaters.

The pic will then get a Netflix release in the U.S., Canada and Australia and New Zealand at the end of December, likely from December 28, I understand. BBC Worldwide has international rights to the doc, which is not a Netflix Original. Producers include Black Dalmation Films and Piece Of Magic Entertainment.

The hauntingly prescient film, which charts the rise to fame and subsequent challenges faced by the Swedish dance music star, known for songs including Wake Me Up and Hey Brother, has been slightly updated following Bergling’s tragic suicide in April of this year. The DJ, aged 28 at the time of passing, had struggled with alcohol abuse and physical and mental health issues prior to his death.

“I wanted to do a brutally honest film about Tim as a person and not only about Avicii. We were able to show his struggle and strength of character, something I am very proud of,” stated Tsikurishvili about the film. “To work with the Paradigm team in getting the film on Netflix has been very exciting, especially because Avicii has such a huge fan base among young people.”

Regular Bergling collaborator Tsikurishvili won an MTV Music Video Award this year for Best Dance Video for the song Lonely Together by Avicii featuring Rita Ora. Paradigm has signed him for representation in all areas. He continues to be managed by Avatar Entertainment.