Following a much lauded world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, One to One: John & Yoko, the riveting new documentary from acclaimed British director Kevin Macdonald (Whitney, The Last King of Scotland), is set to premiere in IMAX® exclusively on April 9th and 10th, before opening in cinemas nationwide on April 11th. With a mix of never-before-seen footage, restored audio, and an immersive cinematic approach, the film promises to offer a fresh perspective on the lives of one of music’s most iconic couples.
Macdonald teams up with co-director and editor Sam Rice-Edwards (Meet Me in the Bathroom, The Rescue) to create a deeply personal and compelling exploration of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The documentary centers on the historic One to One concert held at Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972, Lennon’s only full-length performance following his departure from The Beatles. This concert is a powerful moment in music history, and Macdonald’s film dives deeper into the events leading up to it, drawing on rich, archival material and newly restored footage that showcases both the raw energy of the performance and the transformative months in Lennon and Ono’s lives.
The film also features remastered audio, overseen by their son Sean Ono Lennon, ensuring that the music is presented in the best possible way. This immersive sound experience takes audiences on a journey through the couple’s profound personal and political evolution. By 1971, John and Yoko were living in a modest apartment in New York City, absorbing American culture through television—catching glimpses of the Vietnam War, iconic ads, and President Nixon. This unique lens of American media from that era forms the backdrop of their journey, culminating in the One to One concert, which was inspired by a Geraldo Rivera exposé they watched on TV.
The documentary, which was filmed in a carefully recreated version of the couple’s New York apartment, goes beyond just a concert film. It offers a window into their lives during a pivotal time in both their personal journey and their approach to protest. As Macdonald explains, the film “challenges pre-existing notions of the iconic couple,” offering new insights into their shared creative, political, and emotional transformation.
One to One: John & Yoko is produced by Peter Worsley, Kevin Macdonald, and Alice Webb, with an executive producer lineup including Marc Robinson, David Joseph, Steve Condie, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner. This documentary is a bold, cinematic tribute to the enduring legacy of Lennon and Ono.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering their story for the first time, One to One: John & Yoko is set to be an unforgettable cinematic experience with exclusive IMAX® previews on April 9th & 10th, nationwide release on April 11th.
