An upcoming documentary on ABBA, set to air on 14 broadcasters including the BBC and CW, aims to provide a fresh perspective on the Swedish superstars while challenging biases in Anglo-American perceptions, according to its director James Rogan.
Rogan, known for producing serious documentaries, saw an opportunity to modernize the storytelling around ABBA, noting a lack of recent documentaries reflecting the evolving landscape of the genre. The documentary, titled “ABBA: Against the Odds,” funded by 14 broadcasters including the BBC, CW, and Scandinavian networks, delves into the band’s journey to global fame, particularly focusing on their Eurovision victory with the song ‘Waterloo.’
The director highlights the importance of buy-in from Scandinavian broadcasters, which allowed the producers to challenge traditional criticisms of ABBA, particularly from Anglo-American circles. Through extensive archival research and interviews, the documentary aims to showcase the band’s significance beyond their perceived kitschiness, emphasizing their groundbreaking achievements as a non-English speaking band conquering the world stage.
Rogan points out instances of criticism faced by ABBA, even at the height of their success, such as a notable American interview where the band was questioned about the perceived ‘sameness’ of their music. The documentary also explores the hurdles ABBA faced in their early years, including protests in Sweden driven by a progressive music movement opposed to their success.
In recent years, ABBA’s popularity has experienced a resurgence, evidenced by the success of ABBA Voyage, a performance featuring avatar versions of the band members. Rogan sees this resurgence as tapping into a collective memory associated with ABBA’s music.
With “Against the Odds,” Rogan hopes to establish an innovative funding model for premium public service broadcasting documentaries, emphasizing the collaborative spirit showcased by European TV stations in supporting the project.
Commissioning editor Anders Bruus sees the documentary as a testament to the power of storytelling in uniting communities across Europe, highlighting ABBA’s music as a universal language that transcends boundaries.
