Interview: directors/writers Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft on the “laughter, tears and singing” of Fisherman’s Friends: One And All

The buoys are back in town. And we make no apologies for the pun!

Fisherman’s Friends, the most unlikely of buoy bands, made their big screen debut back in 2019 with their own brand of humour and robust sea shanties in the film of the same name. They’re back this week, with the next chapter of their story, set a year after the surprise success of their debut album. In Fisherman’s Friends:One And All, they face the pressures, challenges and temptations that go with fame, as well as more personal issues. And, in true feel good style, it all culminates with their appearance at perhaps the most famous music festival in the world.

In the interview below, the film’s directors and writers, Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft reflect on their experience as first time directors – they’re in no doubt about wanting to do it again – and how they brought the cast and crew from the first one back together for the sequel. Leonard describes the original movie as Jerry McGuire, while its sequel is more like Spinal Tap! They also talk about why it was important for this film to premiere in Newquay and the response from the community involved in its creation. And they explain a new term. FWAGS.

Fisherman’s Friends:One And All is released in cinemas on Friday, 19th August. Read our review of the film.