Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, opens up about the challenging intervention he staged for the late music producer in the new Netflix documentary, Avicii — I’m Tim. The film sheds light on the DJ’s mental health struggles and painkiller addiction leading up to his suicide in 2018.
Bergling, whose real name was Tim Bergling, was experiencing immense anxiety and justified his painkiller use as a way to cope, according to close friend Jesse Waits in the documentary. The intervention, organized by Klas and Avicii’s longtime collaborator Arash “Ash” Pournouri, came at a critical point in the DJ’s career. Bergling was grappling with the pressures of fame and the disconnect between his stage persona and his true self.
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“I just felt anxious. I didn’t know where the anxiety came from,” Bergling says in a voiceover. “I could feel it physically in my gut. It was like a stone in my gut… A constant emotion.” The intervention included friends, family, and tour management. Klas describes the agonizing moment of seeing the anger in his son’s eyes upon realizing he was being confronted.
“It was excruciatingly painful to see the look in his eyes,” Klas recalls. “Then everyone shared how concerned they were, and Tim… at first, he was pretty furious.” The intervention lasted hours, with Bergling initially resistant. Eventually, he conceded, agreeing to seek help, a moment that brought immense relief to his father.
“He refused to give in. But eventually something made him say, ‘Fine, I’ll get help,’” Klas says. “It finally registered… I think he realized it was time for him to do something about it.” Following the intervention, Bergling began seeing psychiatrists and doctors, experimented with diet and exercise changes, and expressed a loss of passion for music. He cleared his schedule in search of balance.
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“I’m trying to find balance,” Bergling says in the documentary. “Balance in life, and with my friends and family.” He found temporary solace in freeing himself from touring and record label pressures, embracing transcendental meditation, and working on his final album, Tim, released posthumously in 2019. The documentary explores Bergling’s rise to fame with hits like “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother,” his struggles with the spotlight, and the devastating impact of his death.
Friends and collaborators like Chris Martin and Aloe Blacc contribute to the film, offering insights into Bergling’s life and career. Home videos and behind-the-scenes footage provide a deeper understanding of the artist’s journey. The documentary leaves viewers with a sense of the unanswered questions surrounding Avicii’s death and the profound loss felt by those who knew him.
