Sean Lennon Has A Beatles Mission He Intends To Pursue
via Liam McEwan / Youtube
In a profound interview with Grammy.com, Sean Ono Lennon opened up about his unique position of upholding the Beatles’ and his father John Lennon’s legacies in the era of visual media. Reflecting on his recent projects like Em Cooper’s music video for ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ and his own ‘War Is Over’ animation, Sean shared his excitement and the immense challenge this responsibility entails.
“And a big challenge, obviously, because I don’t [hesitates] want to f*ck up. [Laughs.] But it’s been a real honor. I’m very grateful to my mom for giving me the freedom to try all these wacky ideas. Because a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, when are you going to stop trying to rehash the past with the Beatles, or John Lennon?’”
Sean Lennon’s Animated Tribute
His venture into bringing his parents’ peace anthem, ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’, to a modern audience through animation resonated with his broader mission. Sean is keenly aware of the fleeting nature of modern attention spans and the dilution of cultural icons amidst today’s ‘white noise.’ He voices a compelling vision, stating,
“Because the modern world is as it is, I feel like we have a responsibility to try to make sure that the Beatles and John Lennon’s music remain out there in the public consciousness because I think it’s really important. I think the world needs to remember the Beatles’ music, and remember John and Yoko. It’s really about making sure we don’t get lost in the white noise of modernity.”
At the 2024 Oscars, where ‘War Is Over’ snagged the accolade for Best Animated Short Film, Sean humorously entertained the thought of Emma Stone portraying his father in a conversation about a new Beatles project by director Sam Mendes. Mendes had earlier announced plans for four films, each delving into the lives of the Beatles’ members. Sean, modest about his newfound status as a filmmaker, revealed his concerns about finding an actor to embody his legendary father.
“I’m not much of a filmmaker – I guess I am now – but I do think with someone as famous as my dad, it’s very hard to cast a film like that.”
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Sean Lennon’s Personal Artistic Endeavors
He draws inspiration from the cinematic triumphs of ‘La Vie en Rose’ and ‘Ray’, optimistic about the project’s potential impact.
“So, you can pull it off, and I think we’re going to do a good job, so I’m excited.”
Between these ambitious undertakings, Sean has also explored his musical expression with the release of ‘Asterisms’, an instrumental album that shies away from any specific genre. Released through John Zorn’s Tzadik Records in February 2024, the album marks another chapter in Sean’s diverse and creative journey.
Sean’s endeavors extend beyond mere preservation of his father’s and the Beatles’ legacies; they signify an effort to evolve these legacies within the context of contemporary media. By engaging in these creative processes, Sean not only honors his heritage but also introduces these timeless messages of peace and love to new generations.
