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Yoko Ono to produce biopic on her relationship with John Lennon

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One of the most controversial couples in the rock music industry, John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been the embodiment of the saying, “People fear what they don't understand, and they hate what they can't conquer”.

To many, Ono's entry into Lennon's life marked the end of The Beatles as they knew it. Ono, now 85, has often said in interviews that she and Lennon have felt “hated” by people. Inseparable and often misunderstood for being pretentious, their love life has often come under scrutiny and harsh judgment by fans.

Now, Ono is producing a film based on their lives, according to reports. It is co-produced with Michael De Luca, who has produced hits such as 21, The Social Network and Captain Phillips. The duo, along with Josh Bratman, have roped in Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) as writer.

The two met in the late 1960s. Lennon, at that time, was at the peak of his stardom as the lead singer and songwriter of the Beatles. Ono, on the other hand, was a celebrated avant garde artist.

According to Ono, the two met first at one of her shows. Reportedly, Lennon was still married to his then-wife Cynthia at that time. After meeting Ono, his relationship with his wife deteriorated, until they divorced.

Fans of the Beatles, and even Lennon's band mates—Paul McCartney in particular—claim that Lennon's breakup from the band was influenced by Ono (he even changed his name to John Ono Lennon). He went on to have a great solo career in experimental music. The couple recorded three experimental albums together, and formed the Plastic Ono Band in 1969, the year they were married. Most of his songs at that time—including Give Peace a Chance and Cold Turkey—were anti-war and became anthems of sorts.

After leaving the Beatles, Lennon became a lot more involved in activism, while battling a deportation (led by the Nixon administration starting from 1971 till 1976) from the US. His album with Ono, Some Time in New York City, was poorly received, even though it was about empowering women and fighting racism.

Lennon and Ono's relationship wasn't all rainbows and butterflies, though. In 1973, Lennon had a much-publicised affair with his personal assistant, May Pang. Eventually he got back to Ono, who is said to “not be hurt” by the affair.

Despite individual and public failures, their love seemed to be never-ending. The couple had a son, Sean Taro Ono Lennon, in 1975. Today, he is also a musician, working with Ono and several other artists.

In interviews, Lennon expressed his dismay at the way his fans reacted to his marriage with Ono. He claimed that they were racist and found it difficult to accept a Japanese artist as his partner, especially after the idyllic Cynthia.

It all ended in 1980 when Lennon was tragically murdered in New York by a fan. He was shot at several times.

At a time when protest marches against the system have become increasingly common in the United States, the Lennon-Ono story can set a precedent. As De Luca explains, “The story will focus on ripe and relevant themes of love, courage and activism in the US—with the intention of inspiring today’s youth to stand up for and have a clear vision for the world they want.”

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Topics : #Hollywood | #music

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