Soderbergh's Lennon Doc Promises Unheard Truths from Icon's Final Hours

Stephen Soderbergh has recently completed an untitled documentary focusing on John Lennon's final, pivotal interview. He describes this work as an "incredible historical document" whose relevance has only intensified, becoming "even more relevant today" than it was 45 years ago on December 8, 1980, the tragic day Lennon was murdered. Soderbergh, who shared these insights at the inaugural Doha Film Festival, where his latest film "The Christophers" premiered internationally, expressed excitement about the project. His primary objective with the documentary is to present the interview in a manner that "enhances the interview and doesn’t distract from it," rather than attempting to "re-invent the form." He hopes the film will encourage as many people as possible to engage with what John and Yoko Ono discussed on that fateful afternoon before Lennon's death.
Soderbergh noted his surprise at the couple's candidness during the discussion. Despite their extensive experience with interviews, John and Yoko were "so free in their discussions" and "open and excited to talk," making it seem as if they had "never been interviewed before." This unreserved dialogue, Soderbergh believes, is crucial for the audience to experience. He asserts that the content of their conversation from 45 years ago remains profoundly significant, touching upon universal themes such as "relationships, politics, how we treat each other," and "how systems work on the individual." Above all, the interview underscores "the importance of love in our daily life and our world."
The historically significant interview took place on December 8, 1980, with Yoko Ono by Lennon’s side. At 40 years old, Lennon had recently emerged from a five-year musical hiatus, during which he focused on raising his son, Sean. This conversation was the sole radio interview granted by the couple around the release of their album, "Double Fantasy." They met a team from RKO Radio at their New York City residence, the Dakota apartment building, where they engaged in a wide-ranging discussion. Tragically, merely twelve hours after this insightful exchange, John Lennon was fatally shot outside the Dakota by Mark David Chapman.
This still-untitled documentary marks Soderbergh’s return to feature-length documentaries after a considerable period, his last being "And Everything Is Going Fine," a portrait of artist Spalding Gray, released in 2010. The project boasts an impressive list of executive producers, including Soderbergh himself, Michael Sugar and David Hillman from Sugar23, and Nancy Saslow and David Hudson representing Mishpookah Entertainment Group.
Recommended Articles
Beatles' 'Anthology 4' Soars to Top 10 on Billboard Charts!

The Beatles' "Anthology" series makes a triumphant return to the Billboard charts with "Anthology 4," debuting in the to...
Monarch's Truth: King Charles Reveals 'Lifelong Battle' in Shocking Announcement!

A new documentary, "Finding Harmony: A King's Vision," starring King Charles, is set to debut in early 2026 on Amazon Pr...
Raoul Peck's 'Orwell: 2+2=5' Terrifies Critics, Unveiling Orwell's Enduring Relevance

Raoul Peck's documentary "Orwell: 2+2 = 5" explores George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and its chilling contemporary...
Hollywood's New Fab Four Wives: Stars Unveiled for Upcoming Beatles Biopics

Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film Beatles quadrilogy has unveiled its leading actresses, with Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai, A...
Beatles Biopic Reveals Star-Studded Cast for Fab Four's Wives!

The upcoming four-part Beatles biopic has announced the actresses cast as the wives of the Fab Four, joining a stellar l...
You may also like...
Super Eagles' Shocking Defeat: Egypt Sinks Nigeria 2-1 in AFCON 2025 Warm-Up

Nigeria's Super Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their only preparatory friendly for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nati...
Knicks Reign Supreme! New York Defeats Spurs to Claim Coveted 2025 NBA Cup

The New York Knicks secured the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup title with a 124-113 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs i...
Warner Bros. Discovery's Acquisition Saga: Paramount Deal Hits Rocky Shores Amid Rival Bids!

Hollywood's intense studio battle for Warner Bros. Discovery concluded as the WBD board formally rejected Paramount Skyd...
Music World Mourns: Beloved DJ Warras Brutally Murdered in Johannesburg

DJ Warras, also known as Warrick Stock, was fatally shot in Johannesburg's CBD, adding to a concerning string of murders...
Palm Royale Showrunner Dishes on 'Much Darker' Season 2 Death

"Palm Royale" Season 2, Episode 6, introduces a shocking twin twist, with Kristen Wiig playing both Maxine and her long-...
World Cup Fiasco: DR Congo Faces Eligibility Probe, Sparks 'Back Door' Accusations from Nigeria

The NFF has petitioned FIFA over DR Congo's alleged use of ineligible players in the 2026 World Cup playoffs, potentiall...
Trump's Travel Ban Fallout: African Nations Hit Hard by US Restrictions

The Trump administration has significantly expanded its travel restrictions, imposing new partial bans on countries like...
Shocking Oversight: Super-Fit Runner Dies After Heart Attack Symptoms Dismissed as Heartburn

The family of Kristian Hudson, a 'super-fit' 42-year-old marathon runner, is seeking accountability from NHS staff after...