The Avicii documentary controversy has resurfaced with new intensity after Ash Pournouri, the late artist’s former manager, formally accused the director of Avicii: True Stories of unethical conduct. According to newly filed court documents in Sweden, Pournouri claims the filmmaker chose to record moments of visible distress instead of intervening, reigniting debate around responsibility, narrative control, and ethics in music documentaries.
As the civil case unfolds, the claims challenge long standing public interpretations shaped by the 2017 film and reopen questions about how Avicii’s final years were portrayed.
Legal Filings Bring New Allegations to Light
Claims Filed With Stockholm District Court
In December 2025, Pournouri submitted a dossier of 138 documents to the Stockholm District Court. The filing forms part of an ongoing civil lawsuit aimed at clarifying his role in events preceding Avicii’s death in 2018.
One document, identified as Case No. T 24718-25, Exhibit 4, focuses specifically on the conduct of documentary director Levan Tsikurishvili. The court filing alleges that the director was physically present during moments when Tim Bergling, known globally as Avicii, expressed psychological distress.
Filming Distress Instead of Offering Help
According to Pournouri’s legal team, the filmmaker continued recording rather than stepping in. The filing states that while Pournouri was not present at the time, the director had direct access to Bergling and chose documentation over intervention.
This accusation sits at the core of the Avicii documentary controversy and raises broader ethical questions about the responsibilities of filmmakers when subjects appear unwell.
Ethical Concerns Around Avicii: True Stories
Accusations of Bias and Unethical Production
Pournouri’s attorneys describe the production of Avicii: True Stories as unethical and biased. They argue the film presented a one sided narrative that many viewers interpreted as placing responsibility on Pournouri for the circumstances surrounding Bergling’s death.
The legal filing claims Pournouri was never given the opportunity to review or comment on the final cut, despite formal requests from his legal representatives prior to release.
Lack of Right to Reply
The documents also state that private appeals were made to Avicii’s father, Klas Bergling, asking for corrections to what Pournouri’s team describes as a distorted public record. According to the filing, those requests went unanswered.
This alleged lack of dialogue further fueled the dispute and deepened the Avicii documentary controversy within the music industry.
Disputed Edits and Multiple Film Versions
Earlier Footage Versus Final Cut
Another central argument in the lawsuit concerns the documentary’s editing process. Pournouri’s legal team claims the film went through multiple versions before its 2017 release.
They argue that earlier footage, filmed in 2014 when Pournouri and Bergling were still working together, presented a different context. The final cut, they allege, selectively removed material and introduced edits that altered viewer perception.
Allegations of Manipulated Narratives
The filing claims that deliberate editing choices created misleading impressions without direct evidence. According to Pournouri’s attorneys, these edits unfairly shaped public opinion and contributed to reputational harm.
Such claims add another layer to the Avicii documentary controversy, especially as documentaries increasingly influence how music history is written.
Industry Impact and Ongoing Silence
No Public Response From Avicii’s Estate
As of now, Avicii’s estate has not issued a public response to the allegations outlined in the court documents. The absence of commentary leaves many questions unanswered as the civil case continues.
A Broader Conversation About Responsibility
Beyond the courtroom, this dispute highlights a larger issue within music journalism and documentary filmmaking. Where does storytelling end and ethical responsibility begin? The Avicii documentary controversy underscores the fine line between documenting reality and protecting vulnerable subjects.
Conclusion
The renewed Avicii documentary controversy places Avicii: True Stories back under scrutiny, this time through the lens of legal accountability and ethics. Ash Pournouri’s claims challenge the narrative that has shaped public perception for years and force a reexamination of how influential documentaries are made.
As the case progresses, its outcome may not only affect those directly involved but also influence future standards for transparency, consent, and responsibility in music documentaries worldwide.
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