April 1983. At the Beverly Hills Hotel, whilst Supertramp were presenting their new album, Roger Hodgson announces his departure from the band. After years of global success, the split seems baffling: how could a band with no apparent scandals or conflicts fall apart at the height of its glory?

This documentary explores Supertramp’s personal and artistic history through the journeys of its two founding members, Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. Two men who seemed to be polar opposites: a working-class upbringing and a rhythm-and-blues background for Davies; a more privileged youth, shaped by pop music, intuition and spirituality for Hodgson.

The film recounts their unlikely meeting in the late 1960s, their shared dream of creating a different kind of music, and the years of struggle, setbacks and perseverance that forged their identity. From their early, little-known albums to the breakthrough success of *Crime of the Century*, Supertramp gradually built a unique world, blending melancholy, musical sophistication and universal melodies. But success also revealed the profound differences between the two songwriters. One sought creative freedom and introspection; the other championed the band’s cohesion and collective balance.

Through archive footage, personal accounts and musical analysis, the documentary explores not so much a break-up as an artistic love story that has come to an end. It tells the story of two artists who, for over a decade, searched together for the perfect melody before realising that they had to go their separate ways. The story of Supertramp thus becomes the universal tale of an exceptional collaboration: that of a shared dream, unexpected success and the fragility of great human adventures.

Director: Patrick Boudet

Author: Patrick Boudet

Producer: O2B Films

Broadcaster: ARTE

Running time: 52 min

In production