CANNES – On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was tragically shot, but on that same day, he and Yoko Ono participated in a revealing interview with a radio crew from San Francisco, all from the comfort of their New York home at the Dakota Apartments. They were discussing their latest album, “Double Fantasy,” but the conversation quickly expanded beyond just music.
During the two-hour interview, Lennon and Ono shared their thoughts on love, creativity, and their life together, including raising their young son. Lennon, at the age of 40, expressed a newfound clarity, famously stating, “I feel like nothing happened before today.” This sense of presence and self-awareness is palpable throughout the interview.
Now, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has transformed the audio from this historic conversation into a documentary titled “John Lennon: The Last Interview,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In his documentary, Soderbergh aims to reveal the depth and humanity of both Lennon and Ono, much like how Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” provided new insights into The Beatles.
Soderbergh, reflecting on the interview, remarked, “I was just so compelled by their generosity of spirit throughout the conversation. It’s like the world took place in one day, in this apartment.” However, adapting the audio into a visual format presented unique challenges, particularly when the conversation turned philosophical.
To bridge the gaps during these deeper discussions, Soderbergh turned to advanced technology. He collaborated with Meta to incorporate artificial intelligence, creating surreal imagery that complements the audio. This decision sparked considerable debate, as many critics were skeptical about using AI in a film centered around the iconic Beatle.
Critics at Cannes largely panned the AI-generated visuals, describing them as lacking depth and originality. Yet, Soderbergh views this innovative approach as part of a larger conversation about the role of AI in filmmaking. He believes transparency is vital and stated, “I feel like I owe people the best version of whatever art I’m trying to make and total transparency about how I’m doing it.”
Throughout the process, Soderbergh was aware of the potential backlash. He stated, “I knew what was coming,” acknowledging the emotional responses surrounding the use of AI. However, he does not see AI as a threat to the film industry, arguing that the most crucial creative roles cannot be replaced by technology.
In his view, as AI becomes more prevalent, the imperfections of human creativity will become even more valuable. He expressed a desire to explore the boundaries of AI in art, saying, “I don’t think what I’m doing crosses it. Some people may disagree.”
When asked about the creative prompts he used for the AI, Soderbergh described them as abstract concepts, like “circles of light” and transformations involving flowers. He emphasized that his goal was to visually follow the conversation in a way that felt authentic and engaging.
Soderbergh also believes that the use of AI should be purposeful, stating, “It has to be necessary. Is it the only way to accomplish what I want to see?” This approach ensures that any technological use enhances the artistic vision rather than detracts from it.
The documentary captures the essence of Lennon’s candidness, particularly his desire to challenge the traditional rock star image. Soderbergh hopes that young audiences will recognize Lennon’s commitment to honesty and his pursuit of a better world, stating, “He just was built that way.”
Through “John Lennon: The Last Interview,” viewers are invited to reflect on Lennon’s legacy and the enduring relevance of his ideas about love, creativity, and human connection.
