Yungblud thanks “bucket list” director at ‘Are You Ready, Boy?’ premiere: “I feel honoured – this film had to be made”

Yungblud has thanked Are You Ready, Boy? director Paul Dugdale for bringing his “mad ideas” to life in the new film.

• READ MORE: Yungblud is ready to leave his idols behind

The documentary film, which premiered yesterday (August 12), was recorded at Berlin’s legendary Hansa Studios, and sees director Dugdale (Adele: One Night Only, Elton John: Live From Dodger Stadium) follow the artist as he performs new album ‘Idols’ live for the very first time.

As well as a one-take performance of each track, the film gives fans a glimpse at the singer, aka Dominic Harrison, during a pivotal stage of his career.

Speaking at the premiere in Leicester Square last night (August 12), Yungblud reflected on working with Grammy-nominee Dugdale, and said it had been “a crazy journey” to work alongside him on the project.

“When I had this idea, my bucket list director was Paul [Dugdale] because I knew he’d tell the story with truth and authenticity,” the singer said. “You have to be willing to allow the uncomfortable and the scary to be shown to the world, and I hope you love it.”

“In a world where everything is so ‘TikTokable’ and ‘Instagrammable,’ this is a film about imagination, allowing humanity and insecurity to shine. We need more of that in the world if we’re all a bit more real.

“I feel honoured,” he continued. “This film had to be made. People need to see what it takes to make an album of this ambition. The whole point of going to Hansa Studios and this whole album was about relinquishing a pedestal, walking amongst giants and seeing if you can do it. It’s also a story of friendship and love.

“My team and I come up with mad ideas in a room and somehow they happen. We’ve never had a hand up, it’s more of a kick in the face every time… so being here in Leicester Square is pretty cool. Thank you, Paul.”

It echoes comments he made to NME recently when discussing the impetus behind making the film. “With this album, I made a conscious effort to not over explain what it was about,” he said. “This film will really show people what I was going through when I was making it. It’s a hell of a film. I watched it once, approved it, but I’ll never watch it again – It’s too uncomfortable.”

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“The opportunity to capture Yungblud at such a turbulent but rewarding moment of change, was an absolute privilege,” Dugdale has said in a statement. “Dom gave himself completely to the filmmaking process and I feel so proud of what we achieved together.”

It follows a busy period for the Doncaster singer, who caught up with us last week at the launch of his brand new community space and store, based on the historic Denmark Street in central London.

With his new ‘B.R.A.T’ store, Yungblud will be fusing music, fashion and community – creating a space where fans can buy clothing, watch live performances, have a coffee together, attend poetry nights and film screenings, and more.

Reflecting on balancing multiple projects of late, he said: “The past couple of weeks have been mental because I think people are finding this community, when some of them in the past had been dissuaded from it.

“People are getting an insight into what we represent and realising, ‘Oh, this is actually really beautiful and this is real’.

“There’s a lot of vapid shit out there, and some people felt that I was falling into that category, until they gave me a chance and discovered this community,” he added. “They came to the [Bludfest] festival, they fell into my music, they discovered this space. So, to people who’ve just come here, I want to say welcome! If you’re thinking about having a nosy into our world, you’ll have a good time. I promise.”

Are You Ready, Boy? is in cinemas August 20 and 24 with tickets on sale now – find screening information and tickets here.

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