An a-ha documentary film is set to arrive in cinemas in May

Virgin Radio

25 Feb 2022, 08:32

The Norwegian pop band, who famously sang about how the sun always shines on TV, are now taking over cinema screens with a documentary, simply titled a-ha The Movie.

The film focuses on the synth-pop heartthrobs across a period of four years in the 1980s, and features unreleased footage and interviews with members Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen.

According to the documentary’s synopsis, it shares the story of how “three young men followed their impossible dream of making it big.” When Take On Me - with that iconic sketch animation video - reached number one in the US charts in 1985 and became an international megahit, that dream became a reality. Or did it?

The synopsis explains: “Almost 35 years after their breakthrough, a-ha still creates magic on stage with their timeless music. They tour the world but drive in separate cars and stay apart backstage. They only meet on stage, while doing the one thing they love.”

The documentary aims to portray the “challenging creative and personal dynamics of a group of three strong individuals”. 

Check out the trailer here:

Released to coincide with the band’s upcoming UK tour, the film promises to be “a story of great music, big ambitions, broken friendship – and maybe forgiveness”.

The band’s debut record, 1985’s Hunting High and Low, featured Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines on TV, and reached number two in the UK album chart. They have released nine subsequent LPs, with a new one, True North, later this year. 

The UK leg of a-ha’s tour will start on May 24, and they will take on Birmingham, Liverpool,  London and Bournemouth.

a-ha The Movie will be released in UK cinemas on May 27th. It will be at the Dublin International Film Festival on March 3rd and Glasgow Film Festival on March 4th and 5th.