Oasis Documentary Directors on Filming the Brothers’ First Reunion in 15 Years and Why There Wasn’t Much Emotion in the Room: ‘It’s the Gallaghers, It’s Not ‘Dawson’s Creek”

Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, the directing duo behind the upcoming Disney+ documentary “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger,” have revealed that the Gallagher brothers’ long-awaited reunion wasn’t exactly a tearjerker. In an interview with Variety ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the filmmakers—known for their work on “Shut Up and Play the Hits” and “Meet Me in the Bathroom”—shared rare insights into capturing the moment rock’s most infamous sibling rivalry finally thawed. The pair were granted unprecedented access in early 2025, as Liam and Noel Gallagher began rehearsing for what would become a record-shattering global tour, their first together in over a decade and a half.

Rather than hovering over the brothers with cameras, however, the directors made a deliberate choice to stay out of the way. “We didn’t want it to feel mediated,” Southern explained. “We were acutely aware of how fragile the situation was—this was the first time they’d spent any extended time together in 15 years.” So, with camera rigs pre-positioned in the studio, the duo retreated to a sweltering nearby cabin—lacking air conditioning during a heatwave, no less—to observe from a distance. Contrary to public speculation, there were no explosive arguments or emotional embraces. “It’s the Gallaghers, not ‘Dawson’s Creek,’” Southern quipped. “They’re not going to sit and dissect their feelings.” Instead, the brothers approached their reunion with remarkable professionalism, immediately diving into tight renditions of classics like “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Live Forever.” Lovelace noted, “There was no messing around. As soon as Liam walked in, it was, ‘Right, are we doing this?’ They just powered through the entire set. Watching that work ethic was fascinating—it was all business, but you could see the subtle dynamics at play.”

That meticulous preparation paid off spectacularly once the tour kicked off in Cardiff and swept through the U.K., Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Korea, Japan, Australia, and South America. The directors observed that any lingering tension between the brothers evaporated the moment they stepped on stage. “There was real friction at first,” Lovelace admitted. “But it didn’t dissolve until that first show, when the crowd’s anticipation met the band’s nervous energy. That was pure alchemy—something extraordinary happens when people who’ve waited 16 years finally get what they’ve been dreaming of.” Despite widespread cynicism that the reunion was purely a cash grab—the tour grossed hundreds of millions—the directors insist the brothers took their responsibility to fans seriously. “They felt the weight of expectation,” Lovelace said. “It wasn’t about showing up, playing the hits, and banking the money. They wanted to deliver the best possible version of Oasis. That meant something real to them.”

Southern, who personally manned a camera at every concert to capture audience reactions, described an overwhelming emotional release among fans. “You could be the most jaded person alive and it would still hit you,” he said. “Grown men crying, thousands singing every word—it felt bigger than the band. People genuinely needed that moment, especially given the state of the world.” The production enlisted an impressive roster of cinematographers across different countries, including Haris Zambarloukos (a frequent Kenneth Branagh collaborator), Lol Crawley (Oscar winner for “The Brutalist”), and James Laxton (Oscar nominee for “Moonlight”). Southern explained their directive: “We told each of them to shoot their personal experience of the show. If something in the crowd was more compelling than the stage action, follow that. We wanted immersive, narrative-driven footage, not a standard concert recording.”

With the documentary set to premiere on Imax screens, the directors hope to transport audiences back to the bucket hat-wearing euphoria of summer 2025. Lovelace emphasized, “We wanted viewers to feel like they were actually there.” And Southern, ever the innovator, has a playful suggestion for theaters: “Cinemas are missing a huge opportunity if they don’t sell popcorn bucket hats.” The film arrives as Oasis continues to dominate headlines—the band’s reunion tour broke attendance records worldwide, with tickets selling out in minutes and resale prices skyrocketing. For fans who missed out, the documentary offers a chance to witness the magic up close, while those who attended can relive the experience in stunning detail.