The Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, brought a surge of electrifying rock and roll energy to the prestigious Venice Film Festival on Saturday, September 5, as the world premiere of their highly anticipated documentary, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, captivated audiences. Eschewing the typical press conference formalities, the iconic siblings made a brief appearance on the Lido docks, offering a few waves to photographers before diving into the cinematic event that chronicles their momentous reunion tour.
A Deep Dive into Sibling Rivalry and Enduring Music
Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is more than just a concert film; it’s an unflinching exploration of the notoriously tempestuous relationship between Noel and Liam Gallagher. The documentary delves into the complex dynamics that ultimately led to Oasis’s dramatic disbandment in 2009, a split punctuated by a backstage altercation moments before a scheduled performance in Paris. The film meticulously pieces together the narrative of their fractured brotherhood, a core element that defined the band’s meteoric rise and eventual implosion.
The animosity between the brothers has been well-documented over the years. Noel Gallagher once famously described his younger sibling as "the angriest man you’ll ever meet. He’s like a man with a fork in a world of soup." Liam, in turn, has voiced his deep-seated resentment, telling The Guardian in 2018 that Noel "did me out, mate, he threw me under the (expletive) bus, and I won’t forget that. He split the band up and it meant the world to me. Just to further his career." These candid reflections, woven into the fabric of the documentary, provide a raw and intimate look at the personal cost of their artistic partnership.
From Manchester Roots to Global Stardom
Founded in the working-class heart of Manchester, England, in 1991, Oasis rapidly ascended to become one of the most dominant British acts of the 1990s. Their debut album, Definitely Maybe, released in 1994, stormed to the number one spot on the charts, heralding the arrival of a new era of Britpop. The follow-up, 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, cemented their global appeal, becoming one of the United Kingdom’s best-selling albums of all time and a touchstone of 90s music culture.
The documentary revisits the phenomenon of Oasis, shining a light on the larger-than-life personalities behind the anthemic hits that defined a generation. The majority of these iconic songs, including the global smashes "Wonderwall" and "Live Forever," were penned by the elder Gallagher, Noel, whose songwriting prowess became synonymous with the band’s sound. The film features never-before-seen rehearsal footage, which reportedly captures the palpable tension that often accompanied Liam’s presence, and a landmark joint interview with the brothers – their first in 25 years.
The Unforeseen Reunion and Global Demand
After a 16-year hiatus, the Gallagher brothers surprised the world in 2025 by announcing a reunion tour. The highly anticipated comeback kicked off in Cardiff, Wales, to an ecstatic crowd of over 60,000 fans, spanning all ages. The initial announcement and the prospect of the tour were met with a mixture of euphoria and trepidation, with many fans recalling the dramatic Paris incident of 2009 and fearing another potential cancellation. However, the tour proceeded, featuring original Oasis members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Gem Archer on guitar, Andy Bell on bass, and Joey Waronker on drums.
Early reviews of the reunion tour lauded the band’s performance. The Associated Press noted that timeless tracks like "Supersonic" and "Roll With It" "sounded as thunderous as ever and sparked mass sing-alongs," underscoring the enduring power of Oasis’s music. This resurgence in popularity and the overwhelming demand for reunion tickets led to the creation of the documentary, aiming to explore the reasons behind the music’s continued resonance with both original fans and a new generation.
Crafting the Narrative: Reconciliation and Musical Legacy
Steven Knight, credited as the writer of the documentary, collaborated with Noel Gallagher to explore the enduring appeal of Oasis’s music. Their shared vision was to understand why the songs continued to captivate audiences, even during the band’s extended dormancy, and how this led to such fervent demand for a reunion. The filmmakers, Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, adopted an intimate approach, conducting separate interviews with the brothers before the tour’s commencement and then bringing them together during its progress. This method was designed to authentically capture the evolving nature of their relationship and the journey of reconciliation.
In their directors’ statement, Southern and Lovelace articulated their dual objectives: "We set out to make a film about the reconciliation of two brothers, infamous for their volatile relationship, but we also wanted to make a film about the power of music and the way Oasis’s songs have continued to have a life of their own, as the band lay dormant for 15 years. The documentary, like the reunion and the tour, took on a life of its own." Their aim was to create an immersive experience, allowing viewers to feel as though they were present at the rehearsals and the concerts, while also focusing on the diverse global fanbase that has kept the Oasis spirit alive.
The filmmakers emphasized their desire to be unobtrusive during the creative process. "Sometimes you might just bump into someone with a dog called Bonehead and that becomes part of the story," Southern remarked, highlighting the serendipitous nature of documentary filmmaking and the integration of fan experiences into the narrative. The documentary also prominently features the stories and perspectives of Oasis fans from across the globe, illustrating the profound personal connection many have to the band’s music.
Release and Future Prospects
Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is slated for a theatrical release shortly after its Venice premiere. Disney has announced an IMAX release for the documentary on September 11, with a subsequent arrival expected on the Disney+ streaming service later in the year. This multi-platform release ensures that fans worldwide will have ample opportunity to experience this in-depth look at one of rock’s most iconic and tumultuous sibling partnerships, and the enduring legacy of their music. The film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival marks a significant cultural moment, celebrating not only a band’s reunion but also the profound and lasting impact of their art.
