New Documentary 'Carola!' Offers Insightful Look into Carola Häggkvist's Life and Career

A new documentary titled "Carola!" featuring iconic Swedish singer Carola Häggkvist is set to premiere in Swedish cinemas on August 21. Directed by My Sandström, the film provides an intimate portrayal of Carola’s life, career, and personal challenges, spanning from her breakthrough at Melodifestivalen in 1983 to her present-day reflections.

The documentary highlights Carola's rise to fame as a teenager with her hit song "Främling," showing archival footage and personal home videos that offer a deep look into her world. It also candidly explores difficult moments, such as her struggles with the pressures of the music industry, especially during her time working with the Bee Gees in Florida. Carola revealed she felt like a product and even considered withdrawing from the collaboration due to stress, but her manager advised against it for financial reasons.

The film delves into her personal life as well, touching on her marriage to Runar Søgaard, whose eventual divorce she described as a "liberation," despite initial hesitation. It also underscores Carola's strong religious faith and the impact her late parents had on her life. However, some questions remain about her current musical preferences and direction.

Coinciding with the documentary release, Carola will publish a self-biography titled "Jag är Carola!" in September, which she describes as her own narrative, contrasting the documentary’s interpretation. The timing also aligns with her 60th birthday. Additionally, Carola is embarking on a series of concerts starting August 20 at her new farm in Vejbystrand, Skåne, followed by a Nordic tour beginning October 9, featuring over 30 shows.

Director My Sandström praised Carola as one of the greatest female icons of our time, highlighting the loneliness and challenges associated with such status. The documentary has been described as a fair, pleasant exploration of her life, managing to capture the complexity and essence of Carola without fully clarifying her current musical aims.