The U.S. Vs. John Lennon will make its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and is just one of many music-related films at this year's fest. The controversial documentary, made with the co-operation of Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, covers the years between 1966 and 1976 and follows the former Beatle's journey from musician to anti-war activist. The David Leaf/John Scheinfeld film recounts the U.S. government's attempts to silence Lennon through wiretapping, FBI surveillance and deportation hearings. The tale is told through archival film clips as well as Lennon's original music.
Leaf and Scheinfeld remark on their website that The U.S. Vs. John Lennon will show "that this was not just an isolated episode in American history, but that the issues and struggles of that era remain relevant today."
The soundtrack to the documentary will be released on CD and digitally on September 26 via Capitol/EMI. The album will feature 19 Lennon songs, including "Imagine," "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." The album will also include two previously unreleased tracks: "Attica State," which was recorded live at the John Sinclair Freedom Rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1971; and the film's instrumental version of "How Do You Sleep." The CD and digital packaging will also include liner notes written exclusively for the release by Ono.
Dixie Chicks — Shut Up And Sing, directed by Cecilia Peck and Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, American Dream), will make its world premiere at the festival.
The film is an examination of the fallout that greeted the country music darlings after singer Natalie Maines made anti-George Bush comments at a concert in London, England three years ago.
Poster Comment:
HOLLYWOOD AND ROCK STARS AGAINST THE BUSH GOVT AND WAR THIS FALL COMING TO A MOVIE THEATER OR DVD NEAR YOU - FEATURING JOHN LENNON CSN&Y DIXIE CHICKS AND MORE posted 4 days ago by TLBSHOW
