Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > "American Masters: LENNONYC" to explore John Lennon's life in New York City as father, husband, activist, artist
Posted 19 Nov 2010
"LENNONYC," a documentary about John Lennon's years in New York City with Yoko Ono and their son Sean, will premiere on the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) Monday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m.
"LENNONYC" features never-before heard studio recordings from the Double Fantasy sessions and never-before-seen outtakes from Lennon in concert and home movies that have only recently been transferred to video. The documentary also features exclusive interviews with Ono, who cooperated extensively with the production and offers an unprecedented level of access, as well as with artists who worked closely with Lennon during this period, including Elton John and photographer Bob Gruen.
"New York became a part of who John and I were," Ono said. "We couldnt have existed the same way anywhere else."
"We had a very special relationship with the city, which is why I continue to make this my home, and I think this film captures what that time was like for us very movingly."
Following the breakup of the Beatles, Lennon and Ono moved to New York City in 1971, where Lennon sought to escape the mayhem of the Beatles era and focus on his family and private life. At the same time, he created some of the most acclaimed songs and albums of his career, most of them written at his apartment at The Dakota on Manhattan's Upper West Side, including "Mind Games," "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night," "I'm Losing You" and "Woman." He also remained highly active in the anti-war movement as well as numerous other progressive political causes.
"American Masters: LENNONYC" is a co-production of Two Lefts Don't Make a Right Productions, Dakota Group, Ltd and THIRTEEN's "American Masters" in association with WNET.org for PBS.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).