'We See You – Berlin' - A heart-warming short film about The xx and their fans by Sylvie Weber

In November 2016 - just over a year ago to the day - The xx’s Romy Madly Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith announced their return with a brand new single "On Hold" and news of a third full length album, "I See You". Recorded between New York, Marfa TX, Reykjavik, Los Angeles and London, and released in January 2017, "I See You" would go on to become a huge critical and commercial success, building on the achievements of The xx’s two previous albums, "xx" and "Coexist". The xx’s three albums now have now sold over 4 million copies between them.

In the intervening twelve months, The xx embarked on an extensive I See You world tour that has seen them performing to millions of fans, including several festival headline appearances and a record breaking run of seven nights at London’s legendary Brixton Academy in front of over 35,000 hometown fans.

Today sees the release of "We See You – Berlin", a short film supported by and exclusively available on YouTube that celebrates the incredibly close bond between The xx and their fans, affectionately turning the spotlight onto the band’s audience. Directed by Berlin-based filmmaker Sylvie Weber, the film features live and documentary footage from The xx’s headline set at Berlin’s Lollapalooza festival in September alongside intimate portraits of some of the people who attended the show. ‘We See You – Berlin’ sees Weber creating an emotive depiction of fans in this city, exploring their relationship with the band, and in turn the band's relationship with the city and the fans there. Romy remembers how it felt to look up at her favourite bands on concerts from the first row, and how it feels now, to look at all the faces and eyes from the stage. There is a beautiful and unique connection between them and the audience. They can truly see each other - as the title says, The xx see Berlin and the people, their audience in it.

"We See You – Berlin" is the first in a series of ‘We See You’ films.

Watch "We See You – Berlin" HERE

Of the collaboration, Sylvie Weber says: “My process as a filmmaker speaks to a consistent desire within me to unveil the character within, I keep an aesthetic and cinematic visual in mind when on set, cautiously leading the protagonists while allowing them to slowly become more themselves on screen. 

In the case of "We See You", coming across truly engaged and earnest individuals was not difficult, the vulnerability that The xx expose in their music is the basis for their incredibly close connection to the fans themselves. I think we've managed to represent in these four stories the feeling of the many millions who are so profoundly affected by the harmonies of Romy, Oliver and Jamie.”

While The xx add: “A huge thank you to Sylvie Weber for capturing some truly intimate moments from our show in Berlin earlier in the year. We’re genuinely moved by the incredibly beautiful portraits of our fans. We see you Berlin. We love you xx The xx.”

Cast List

Dustin Eulenberg

Fine Simonsen

Qichao Fan

Arianna Morales

Credits:

Directed by Sylvie Weber

Producers: Flo Hettenbach & Michael Tarzia

Director of Photography: Henk Otte

Super 8 Operator: Sylvie Weber

Editor: Andi Pek

Colorist: Bowcouleur

Sound Engineer: Victor Brand

Supported by YouTube