The documentary premieres on August 21 and will be shown in cinemas in Sweden. Carola emphasises in an interview with TT that the film is about her, while the autobiography, which will also be published soon, is written by her.
But the book and the film follow the same chronological order, from Carola's overnight breakthrough as a young artist with "Stranger", her slumps and feeling of being controlled by the men around her, to her liberation.
“The greatest of our time”
My Sandström directed the film and followed Carola for three years.
"What touches me the most is that she is the biggest female icon of our time. Being such a big star, but also the downsides of it and the loneliness," she says.
In the documentary, Carola says that during her time in the US she felt like a product. She herself wanted to withdraw from the collaboration with the Bee Gees, but according to Carola, her manager said that it would cost her too much money.
"The fact that she gets back up is probably largely due to her faith, that she has that security with her, because she's not going to kill herself. She's going home and going on a church tour," says Sandström.
“Hanging on a bit”
Carola is also currently working on her autobiography "I am Carola!", which will be published in September. When she meets TT for a conversation about the book, she appears more emotionally invested in it than in the film.
"They've been hanging on a little bit, and that's their perception of my life. And they want some great music at the end," she says.
I wrote the book. It's by me.
Facts: Carola Häggkvist
The documentary film “Carola!” will premiere in Swedish cinemas on August 21. It is directed by My Sandström.
From August 20th, Carola will give moving-in concerts at her new farm in Vejbystrand, Skåne. Starting on October 9th, she will embark on the Nordic tour “I am Carola – a musical life story” with over 30 concerts.
On September 8, in connection with her 60th birthday, Carola Häggkvist will release her autobiography "I am Carola".
Carola broke through at the age of 16 when she won Melodifestivalen in 1983 with the smash hit "Främling".
Eight years later, she won the entire Eurovision Song Contest with "Fångad af en stormvind".
Today Carola lives in Stockholm. She has a summer house in Skåne, two children and a grandchild.
