Morgan Spurlock discusses his latest film - OneDirection-2

The fans of One Direction while they were on The X Factor stayed faithful to them despite their loss, and used social media, especially Twitter, to get the word out about their new favorite band. Soon enough they had a fan base all over Europe, then the United States, and eventually, the whole world. Spurlock explained, “I’ve seen some incredible musical acts come and go, I’ve seen some incredible things happen in this industry, but this is the closest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life to Beatlemania." Getting to be with the band during this window of time was one of his favorite parts of getting to direct this film.

"I’ve seen some incredible things happen in this industry, but this is the closest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life to 'Beatlemania.'" The huge One Direction fandom presented a challenge for the filmmakers. Wherever the band went and the crew followed, so did thousands of fans. Despite time and safety being issues while filming, the presence of fans allowed the cameras to document the passion the fans have for One Direction. The film is full of crying, screaming, ecstatic girls decked out in One Direction apparel, painted faces, and huge smiles. It captures the extent to which the fans will go in order to get a picture or autograph due to their love of the boy band. Spurlock calls this passion “inspiring,” saying he has never felt the same level of dedication to something as these girls do about the band.

When Spurlock asked the band what they wanted to get out making the film, they said they wanted the film to show fans what they are really like, and Spurlock feels that the film accomplishes this well. He had hoped that the movie would show each member’s individuality, and give insights into each one of them as people.

It was clear from hearing Spurlock talk about Liam, Niall, Zayn, Harry, and Louis, that the months he spent with them left him with nothing but glowing remarks about each band member. When asked why the band has such a magnetic pull for girls all over the world, Spurlock replied, “the person that they are when they walk off the stage and they are in real life is the same person that is in this film, it is the same person who goes home to their families. There’s no created persona…they are themselves and I think that’s what ultimately the fans connect with.”

It is easy to be cynical and critical about a band that is manufactured by a record executive, especially one as famous as Simon Cowell, but their origins have not impacted the way the band is run at this point in time. “Once they signed to his record label that level of mentorship and kind of pushing them through, ended,” Spurlock explained, “the guys now control the destiny of the band.” Every important decision made by the band such as adding more shows or endorsing a product happens within a democratic format where majority rules.