Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, has taken on the challenge of keeping his parents’ artistic legacies alive and relevant for younger generations. Three years ago, he was asked to develop a music video for the 50th anniversary of his parents’ iconic protest song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Instead of a simple video, Lennon decided to create a narrative film that expanded on the song’s message.
The resulting film, “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko,” directed by Dave Mullins, was recently nominated for an Academy Award for best animated short film. The 11-minute picture is set in a World War I-like battle zone where two soldiers on opposing sides engage in a secret chess game, communicating via a homing pigeon dodging bombs over a snowy No Man’s Land.
Lennon, who has been gradually taking on the responsibility of managing his parents’ legacies, emphasized the importance of keeping the message of peace and love alive in a world where cultural references can easily fade away. The film was made with the help of industry veterans, including Thomas Newman as the composer and Peter Jackson’s visual effects company, Weta FX, handling the animation.
Despite the film’s war setting, Lennon and Mullins aimed to make the story more universal and timeless. They avoided specific references to real wars and instead focused on delivering the message of peace and unity. The film’s animation style, created using Unreal Engine, gives it a hand-drawn look with charcoal sketch-like outlines.
“War Is Over” is just one of the many Beatles-related projects that Lennon has been involved with, as the band and its members continue to be the subject of reissues, re-releases, and re-examinations. For Lennon, this project is a way to honor his parents’ legacies and continue their mission of spreading messages of peace and love.
As Lennon continues to navigate the world of music and art, he remains grateful for the freedom his mother has given him to explore new and unconventional projects. With “War Is Over,” he hopes to ensure that his parents’ work does not disappear with time, keeping their message alive for future generations.
