A Cinematic Journey: Kevin Macdonald’s Tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1970s New York. One To One John & Yoko Review
Film-maker Kevin Macdonald has crafted a compelling cinematic collage that encapsulates the essence of pop culture during John Lennon and Yoko Ono's time in 1970s New York. The film is a rich tapestry of television clips and cultural moments, presenting a vivid snapshot of a transformative period. It juxtaposes counterculture figures, such as Jerry Rubin and Allen Ginsberg, with contentious political figures like Richard Nixon and George Wallace while interspersing scenes of John and Yoko's performances with commercial advertisements for Tupperware. This edit reflects the couple's obsession with television, particularly the novelty of 24/7 programming that captivated Lennon during their years in a small New York apartment.
One poignant piece of history that emerges in the film is how a documentary about the alarming abuse of learning-disabled children at Willowbrook State School in New York inspired John and Yoko. This led them to organize the One to One concert at Madison Square Garden in 1972 to raise funds for the affected children. The film further enriches its narrative by including rare audio materials, such as Lennon and Ono's phone conversations with journalists and managers, along with a humorous account of an assistant who had to procure hundreds of live flies for Ono's exhibition at MoMA.
However, the most striking moment in the film is not directly related to Lennon. It features a 1972 White House gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of Reader's Digest, where President Nixon introduces The Ray Conniff Singers. Boldly interrupting the anticipated performance, Canadian singer Carole Feraci holds up a sign reading "Stop the Killing" and addresses Nixon directly, urging him to cease the bombing of people, animals, and the environment. Her powerful plea echoes the fiery rhetoric often seen in contemporary political discourse. In that moment, Feraci's defiance highlights a level of confrontation that Lennon himself rarely achieved, making it a striking commentary on the era's politics.
In many respects, Peter Macdonald's latest film echoes the themes explored in David Leaf and John Scheinfeld's documentary The US vs John Lennon. Yet, it offers a more immersive and dreamlike experience. The film subtly highlights a recurring frustration for Lennon: his ongoing, unsuccessful efforts to persuade Bob Dylan to align with him in his activism. Dylan was hesitant to associate too closely with Lennon. Overall, Macdonald's work is a vivid time capsule, encapsulating a moment rich in cultural and historical significance.
