A new documentary about the recently reunited Britpop icons Oasis has drawn criticism from British tabloids after the U.K. film ratings board included detailed content warnings about the band’s notorious lifestyle. Oasisdefinitely, directed by former Creation Records executive Tim Abbott, features never-before-seen archive footage of the Gallagher brothers and has been rated 15 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for “very strong language” and “frequent” depictions of smoking, drinking, and drug references.
The BBFC’s guidance notes the film includes:
- “Infrequent very strong language” (including the word “ct”)
- “Frequent strong language” (such as “fuck”)
- “Rude gestures”
- “References to cocaine and ‘getting high'”
- “People smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol throughout”
Given Oasis’s reputation—from their 1994 hit “Cigarettes and Alcohol” to lyrics like “Where were you while we were getting high?”—the warnings seem almost redundant. Yet some British outlets have slammed them as “woke trigger warnings,” arguing they undermine the band’s rebellious spirit.
The BBFC defended its approach, stating it has provided “extended content advice” since 2007 to help audiences make informed viewing choices. A spokesperson told Variety: “Our ratings reflect public expectations, shaped by consultations with 12,000 people.”
This isn’t the first time the board has faced backlash—last year, it was criticized for noting Wicked’s themes of discrimination against green-skinned characters and talking animals.
Oasisdefinitely arrives alongside the band’s sold-out reunion tour, which launched in Cardiff on July 5. The film revisits their meteoric rise, including the legendary 1993 phone call in which Creation Records’ Alan McGee declared he’d found “the next Beatles” after seeing them in Glasgow.
Whether the BBFC’s warnings will deter fans is doubtful—if anything, they might just confirm what Oasis loyalists already expect: an unfiltered, raucous trip through rock ‘n’ roll excess.
Rating: 15 (for very strong language, smoking, alcohol, and drug references)
Release: Out now in the U.K. alongside Oasis’s reunion tour.
Rome is a freelance writer and photographer. He brings a fresh perspective to the indie music scene and highlights emerging artists and underground movements. His writing style is drawn from personal experiences and a deep love for the art form.