It was a strange feeling for Per Gessle to see the film about Gyllene Tider.
He gives Valdemar Wahlbeck in the lead role high marks.
I think he's fantastic, says Gessle.
Per Gessle was initially skeptical about a film about Gyllene Tider.
It felt like there was no reason to make a film about Gyllene Tider's four decades. You can do that when we've retired, he says.
But Per Gessle was convinced by director Per Simonsson, whose film "Sommartider", which premieres on July 17, focuses on the road to the big breakthrough.
It captures the feeling of that youthful euphoria we had when we started the band. When everything is possible at the same time as everything is impossible. That's exactly how it was. I think it turned out great, says Gessle.
Like a Dream
The film is not a documentary, but it's about him himself. It was hard to grasp.
I thought I would get very emotionally affected. But I didn't. It was hard for me to feel that it was about me. When you watch, it's like in a dream. You suddenly dream about yourself. You don't realize it's you, somehow. But now that time has passed and I've seen it a few times, I've taken it in in a different way.
Unfussy Gessle
Per Gessle has been a support for director Per Simonsson and has also helped with the script work. The pop star is known for his control needs, but not this time.
I'm so incredibly fussy when it comes to my own projects. So if someone else is going to do something about us or about me, I think it's better to let them do it their way. But I've certainly shouted when I think this is wrong.
Valdemar Wahlbeck plays the lead role as the young pop nerd Gessle.
I think he's fantastic. I had never met him before, but I think he's a completely wonderful person. He's really lovely, praises Per Gessle.
Per Gessle went on after Gyllene Tider to Roxette. After Marie Fredriksson's death, the group has continued in new constellations, next with Lena Philipsson. On September 6, the musical "Joyride" based on the group's music will also premiere in Malmö.
Gyllene Tider has also made comebacks at regular intervals. Last year with a tour and recently a live album was released. But the attention around the new film does not open up for more Gyllene Tider.
- No, we have no other plans. Gyllene is very low on my list right now. I'm working on my solo album and then it's Roxette with Lena all next year. And the musical has its premiere soon. I have a lot on my plate with other things.
The embryo of Gyllene Tider was created in 1977 by Per Gessle and Mats "MP" Persson. With the song "Flickorna på TV2", the breakthrough came in 1980. But just a few years later, the band was put on ice to reunite in 1995 with a new album the year after a tour. Since then, the group has re-emerged at regular intervals, most recently last year.
