Get ready to say hello to Yello. The Swiss electronic duo will go from cult classic to cultural marvel in the forthcoming documentary short, Oh Yeah, about their obscure Eighties hit of the same name. The film directed by Nick Canfield has been acquired by Rolling Stone Films and the streaming platform Documentary+. Oh Yeah will premiere on June 7 at Tribeca Film Festival.
“It’s the most iconic two words in pop music history — OH YEAH!” Justin Lacob, President of Documentary+ and XTR, said in a statement. “This film is a joyride through 40 years of pop culture, from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to meme culture’s full-time obsession. We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner on a doc that’s as cool, quirky, and unforgettable as the song itself.”
“Oh Yeah” made its mark on pop culture in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Secret of My Success. It also appeared in an ad campaign for Twix, soundtracked the Duff Beer mascot Duffman in The Simpsons, and inspired an impromptu cover performance in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
The documentary will contextualize the lasting impact of the record with commentary from Ferris Bueller actor Alan Ruck, musician and comedian Reggie Watts, as well as music supervisor Tarquin Gotch. Oh Yeah tells the story of the song and the two musicians behind the unmistakable hit, Boris Blank and Dieter Meier.
Canfield first detailed Oh Yeah in 2023, when he launched a Kickstarter to complete the project. The director’s first encounters with the song came by way of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Secret of My Success. “They’re adventure movies; classic Eighties stories of fun and overcoming the odds, and the song just grabbed me and has always popped up throughout my life,” Canfield told Rolling Stone in 2023.
“‘Oh Yeah’ has a particular place in the America psyche and embodies our culture in the Eighties more than any other song,” Canfield said. “It immediately connotes lust, desire, gratification, and excess. Even though it’s European, it’s become quintessentially American. I wanted to explore that, and the song’s incredible staying power … I want people to discover how music can make us feel a visceral way that we never think about. I also want people to be exposed to the amazing story and personalities that are Yello.”
Oh Yeah is the latest documentary release arriving in partnership between Rolling Stone Films and Documentary+. It joins Wings of Dust, which was shortlisted for a 2023 Oscar; All Things Metal, which debuted at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival; Blood and Ashes; and Mamus.
Justin Lacob and Bryn Mooser will serve as executive producers on behalf of Documentary+. Rolling Stone Executive Chairman Gus Wenner, Rolling Stone Films SVP Jason Fine, and Rolling Stone Films Director Alexandra Dale will serve as executive producers on behalf of Rolling Stone and Rolling Stone Films. “We’re thrilled to bring OH YEAH to audiences worldwide,” said Fine. “The film dives into the eccentric genius of Yello, while celebrating the innovation and unforgettable weirdness that turned two simple words into an indelible pop culture moment.”
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