John Lennon and Yoko Ono Documentary ‘One to One’ Sells to Magnolia Pictures Ahead of Sundance

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I’m thrilled to share that I’ve scored the rights for “One to One: John & Yoko” in North America! This captivating documentary takes us on a profound journey through the remarkable 18-month period of this iconic musical duo, offering unique insights into their transformative relationship.

The sale was completed prior to the “One to One” movie being screened at the Sundance Film Festival, which is scheduled from January 23 to February 2, 2025 in Park City. The documentary initially premiered at the Venice Film Festival and also appeared at the Telluride Film Festival before it journeyed to the snowy mountain town of Utah.

Magnolia intends to debut “One to One: John & Yoko” first in IMAX cinemas on April 11, followed by screenings in other theaters. This film is set to arrive on HBO and Max at a later point in 2025.

Kevin Macdonald, a previous Oscar winner for “One Day in September”, is responsible for directing a documentary. This film portrays the period when Lennon and Ono resided in Greenwich Village, New York City during the early 1970s. The movie features unseen footage before and freshly restored clips of Lennon’s sole complete concert post-Beatles, an audio version of which was remastered by Sean Ono Lennon, their son.

Macdonald expressed great excitement to rejoin Magnolia and HBO teams, as he aims to provide ‘One to One: John & Yoko’ with a grand theatrical release that he had long envisioned. In a statement, he explained that this film is about music, love, politics, and stepping into 1972 – a year which eerily mirrors our current world. Above all, he expressed gratitude to Sean Lennon and Mercury Studios for allowing him to handle the remarkable One to One concert.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating “One to One,” a film that dares to redefine the conventional image of legendary duos. The story unfolds at the August 20, 1972, benefit concert that John Lennon and Yoko Ono, post-Beatles stardom, organized at Madison Square Garden. “One to One” serves as a launchpad, delving into a transformative year and a half in their lives, starting from their arrival in the United States in 1971. Their modest Greenwich Village apartment becomes a hub of American influence, with countless hours spent watching groundbreaking TV shows there. The meticulously recreated documentary setting captures this fascinating phase in their lives, where filming took place. This period marked a significant shift in their activism, culminating in the One to One concert, which was sparked by a Geraldo Rivera exposé they watched on television.

Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley, co-CEOs of Magnolia Pictures, find ‘One to One: John & Yoko’ a groundbreaking revelation. Kevin Macdonald offers a strikingly new, heartfelt, and intimate perspective on this legendary pair.

Peter Worsley, Macdonald, and Alice Webb created the movie, while Marc Robinson, David Joseph, Steve Condie, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner served as executive producers. The deal for this film was arranged by Magnolia’s senior VP of acquisitions, John Von Thaden, with Cinetic acting on behalf of the filmmakers.

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2025-01-21 20:46