The Resemblance Between the 1970s and Today's World: A Look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Life The world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, marked by sit-in
The Resemblance Between the 1970s and Today’s World: A Look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Life
The world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, marked by sit-ins for peace, avant-garde happenings, and covert surveillance of revolutionary sympathies, can seem detached from our own. However, a new documentary reveals eerie similarities between the 1970s and today, according to the film’s Oscar-winning director, Kevin Macdonald.
The Documentary: One to One
"One to One" is a documentary that portrays Lennon and Ono’s life over an 18-month period after their move to New York in 1971, when they became figureheads for the counterculture and anti-Vietnam war movements. The film centers around the 1972 One to One benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, Lennon’s last full-length concert and his only one after the Beatles, performed in aid of children with special needs.
Echoes of Today’s World
"I hadn’t realised until I started making this that the period seems like an incredible echo of today, it’s like a mirror image," Macdonald said. "We all think that today’s politics is uniquely terrible, but this shows something different will come. That maybe Trump is not the end of the world."
The Film’s Message
Macdonald’s film incorporates newly restored 16mm film footage of the concert, archival news clips, and previously unheard tapes of Lennon and Ono’s private phone calls, recorded when they became concerned the FBI was tapping their communications. The film acts as a corrective to the idea that there is something uniquely divisive about contemporary politics, Macdonald said.
Lennon and Ono’s Activism
The film also sheds light on Lennon and Ono’s activism, including their efforts to raise bail money for American prisoners who could not afford the fees and their attempts to get Bob Dylan onboard. Macdonald was moved by the couple’s activism, noting that it was done at a grassroots level, unlike modern celebrities who often use social media.
Imagining John Lennon Today
Lennon was fatally shot in 1980, but Macdonald wonders what the musician would be like if he were alive today. "He would stay true to his very simple message of peace. He would have remained on the side of the underdog. But I think he would have also got himself into trouble, because he was always so honest."
Conclusion
The film "One to One" is a poignant look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s life, revealing eerie similarities between the 1970s and today’s world. The documentary showcases the couple’s activism, their struggles, and their hopes for a better future. Macdonald’s film is a reminder that, despite the passage of time, some issues remain unchanged, and that the power of grassroots activism can bring about real change.
FAQs
Q: What is the documentary "One to One" about?
A: The film is a documentary that portraits John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s life over an 18-month period after their move to New York in 1971.
Q: What is the main theme of the film?
A: The film highlights the similarities between the 1970s and today’s world, with Macdonald noting that the period seems like an incredible echo of today.
Q: What are some of the key themes explored in the film?
A: The film explores Lennon and Ono’s activism, their struggles, and their hopes for a better future. It also touches on the couple’s personal lives, including their relationships and creative collaborations.
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