Lars Sven "Lasse" Hallström is a Swedish film director. He first became known for directing almost all the music videos by the pop group ABBA, and subsequently became a feature film director. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for My Life as a Dog (1985) and later for The Cider House Rules (1999). His other celebrated directorial works include What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and Chocolat (2000).
Lasse Hallström
Hallström at a Career Achievement Tribute at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival
ABBA are a Swedish pop supergroup formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group's name is an acronym of the first letters of their first names arranged as a palindrome. They are one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, and are one of the best-selling music acts in the history of popular music.
Andersson (second from left) with the Hep Stars
Ulvaeus (foreground) with the Hootenanny Singers
Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 1976
Agnetha Fältskog at the opening concert of ABBA's European and Australian Tour in Oslo, 28 January 1977