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New documentary to capture Lewis Capaldi’s rise to fame and the writing of his second album

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 10 June 2021

BMG has partnered with production companies Pulse Films and Quickfire Films to make a new feature-length documentary about your good friend, your old mate, the one, the only, that bloke they insist on calling Lewis Capaldi.

The film focusses on Capaldi as he writes his second album, living back at his parents house in Scotland following his rapid rise to fame. After being the first ever artist to sell out an arena before releasing a debut album – an album that then proved to be hugely popular worldwide – returning to what was previously normal life in an effort to replicate or surpass that level of success was seemingly something of a mindfuck.

“If the immense pressure of writing and recording a second album that has to live up to the expectations of so many people I’ve never met – while also attempting to eclipse the commercial success of my previous album – wasn’t enough, I decided to film the process in its entirety for your viewing pleasure”, says Capaldi.

“I’m very excited to potentially capture the making of the best album of all time or, more likely, to permanently document the scorching of my dreams as years of my life’s work is received like a pile of flaming shite”, he goes on. “Either way it’s going to be lots of fun and [it] will be lovely to have people along for the ride”.

So, fine whatever happens. And it should be a good film. Directed by Joe Pearlman – who helmed Bros documentary ‘When The Screaming Stops’ – Pulse Films also produced the ‘Beastie Boys Story’ and Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’.

Head Of Music Film at Pulse Films, Sam Bridger, says of the project: “At Pulse Films we have always worked collaboratively and openly with artists to create films that reveal the emotion and psychology that underpins great artists. Lewis Capaldi is a singular pop star and character. A raw, emotionally honest and unapologetically real artist in an over mediated and PR trained industry, Lewis is a breath of fresh air. We are hugely excited about the opportunity to be creating a film that takes audiences deep into his personal world at this pivotal moment in his life”.

The film continues BMG’s increasing move into the audio-visual domain, following documentaries about David Crosby, Joan Jett, Trojan Records and the Montreaux Jazz Festival, among others.

BMG UK President Repertoire & Marketing, Alistair Norbury, comments: “We are delighted to help bring this project to life with Lewis and of course Pulse and Quickfire Films. As well as a great songwriter and musician, Lewis is a compelling character who has a genuine and deep connection with fans. This release further demonstrates our commitment to support artists across every service area from records to publishing, film to books, neighbouring rights and increasingly artist management and live too”.

The film will get its first airing at the upcoming Cannes Virtual Film Market later this month.