Latest news with #StoriesofSurrender
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Film extraordinary: Bono's Stories of Surrender
The narrative tracks the formation of the band, many of the songs, and what lies beneath. Stories of Surrender is personal and for everyone at the same time. Picture Supplied It's a film that ends on a high. A kind of unexpected high that's heavy and light at the same time, but biographical in its totality of moment. Bono's Stories of Surrender, now on Apple TV, ends with an incredible rendition, in full tenor armour, with Torna A Surriento or Take Me To Sorrento. It was one of his father's favourite songs. A vocal tour de force for the U2 frontman. Stories of Surrender was released at the end of May. It's a monochrome ninety-something minute epic based on Bono's one-man theatre performances after publishing his biography of the same name. If you have read the book, you will appreciate the show immensely. Even if you haven't, it's still a fantastic watch, if for nothing else than the star's showmanship. It's the theatre of the one-man show, brought to life in a style not dissimilar to Rattle and Hum of the late eighties. It's storytelling about the ghosts of life stages past, present and hints of a future. It's about how love and justice drove a man to be loud about his convictions. Father and son, mother and son. Facing the possibility of death when his heart nearly failed in 2016. It's storytelling, it's struggle, it's humble In between, Bono's struggle with God, religion, his need to banish his ego and be one of us, ordinary folk. And then, there was the band. There is the band. Where is the band? Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton and The Edge are not there. His dad is not there. Mom, Iris, is a central character who shaped his adulthood in her absence. A harp and a few other strings accompany Bono's tuneful breaks between conversation with the audience. Empty chairs are arranged and rearranged to illustrate the ghosts, the souls that have and continue to impact his life. The simplicity of it all, in black and white, is engaging to the very end. It's theatre that holds a shotgun of emotion, relevant to all of us. The narrative tracks the formation of the band, many of the songs, and what lies beneath. The singer called himself a 'fucking idiot' in the early days of U2, particularly at the time of writing I Will Follow, the anthemic opening track of their debut Boy. He tells of taking The Edge's guitar and how he started making 'drill-like' sounds. The Edge responded, encouraging him despite not being sure whether he liked it. Bono handed back the guitar, and The Edge turned the riff into what we know today. It's a moment in time that defined a band that can argue, fight, and create, but always together. Bono is one of four Bono called the show a Quarterman performance because he is one of four. And nothing without his comrades. Also Read: U2's 'How to Reassemble an Atomic Bomb' is a satisfying throwback Manager Paul McGuinness, now retired, was credited as the glue that held them all together. Bono tells of their first breakup after Boy and their brushes with fundamentalist Christianity. He credits the love of his life, Alison Hewson, nee Stewart, as the woman who co-wrote his story. Later, the singer, fully shed of his Achtung Baby Macphisto persona, now only a man in reflection, confesses. He places his ego in the dock and asks himself whether his crusade to save the world was simply a child-like desire to be the centre of attention, or real? Surrender, also on the band's debut album, was the first song that Bono wrote at 18. It was the track that entrenched the somewhat angst, somewhat in love, somewhat seeking internal and external justice feel of the band's entire career. Not haunting, exactly, more like loitering in the back of his head, still muttering wisdom wrapped in sarcasm of Bobo's da' Bob Hewson. Like most sons since time began, Bono had a thing about wanting his dad to get him, to understand him and to be proud of him. And when he didn't, he turned up the volume. That need for approval, that ache, became the amplifier for the life he built, said Bono. The influence of Da' The story of Bob Hewson, inside the story, settles into the worn armchairs of Finnegan's Pub in Dublin, the Sorrento lounge to be precise. This was where father and son would share space more than conversation. He shares anecdotes from Pavarotti to his dad meeting Princess Diana and how, when Pride was released, Bob Hewson admitted to 'feeling some'. Stories of Surrender isn't just about a band, a singer, and his story. It's in a way, all our stories. And it's fantastically woven together as a work where one man exposes himself, and we can all hide behind his narrative. It's learning that other people are the giants on whose shoulders we rise and stand. And reach for the stars. It's a film where moments of surrender can resonate loudly, to the point of your own tears. ALSO READ: The Spikes and Bondage that set rock free
San Francisco Chronicle
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Can a rock star also be humble? Bono's ‘Stories of Surrender' will surprise you
Reading Bono's 2022 memoir ' Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story,' you might be struck by an intriguing juxtaposition: For a rock star often accused of harboring a messiah complex, this guy also, somehow, seems admirably humble. That same spirit guides the new performance documentary 'Bono: Stories of Surrender,' adapted from the U2 leader's one-man stage show inspired by that book. Given stark cinematic life by director Andrew Dominik, the film — which streams on Apple TV+ starting Friday, May 30, after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in the month — features paradoxes worthy of its subject. It is both stripped-down and grandiose, over-the-top and understated. 'Stories of Surrender' was shot before an adoring live audience at the Beacon Theatre in New York and enhanced with filmic touches provided in post-production. While it sometimes struggles with the transition from stage to screen, it ultimately succeeds due to its star's unassuming charisma and effortless storytelling. 'It is preposterous to think others might be as interested in your own story as you are,' the Irish rock star, born Paul David Hewson, tells his audience from the stage. But we know that he knows his story is worth hearing, and it's clear that he relishes the opportunity. That story is about a rebellious Dublin teen who at 14, his mother, Iris, dies from an aneurysm, and his already-reticent father (or 'the da,' as Bono consistently calls him) grows even more distant. Under the sway of punk acts like the Ramones, dreaming of forming his own band, young Paul rounds up some friends — Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. and the Edge — and, through force of will and talent, make the climb from sparsely populated pub gigs to sold-out stadiums. At only 86 minutes, 'Stories of Surrender' makes no pretense of telling the full Bono story. But it picks its spots with artful precision and with keen cinematic instincts. Dominik (2007's ' The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford ' and 2022's ' Blonde ') and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt use black-and-white imagery shot with chiaroscuro lighting to set an intimate but poetic tone. At times we see multiple Bonos talking to each other. The occasional blast of pyrotechnics tends to be muted. The music itself is presented with a minimalist touch. Music supervisor Jacknife Lee, working with cellist Kate Ellis and harpist Gemma Doherty, provide the backbone, with the occasional prerecorded blast of a familiar anthem. The songs provide autobiographical background and heft, as when Bono recalls the sense of purpose and thrill that came with belting out 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' at the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert — then notes ruefully that the $250 million that concert raised for Ethiopia was a mere drop in the bucket of the country's desperate need. Wearing a suit jacket, pinstriped vest and beads, Bono uses empty chairs and spotlights to recreate key moments of his tale. Three simple kitchen chairs placed in a row represent Clayton, Mullen and the Edge as the aspiring rock stars who try to piece together what would become the early hit 'I Will Follow.' More poignantly, Bono sits in a plush lounge chair as he imagines the pub conversations he used to have with his father, who would begin every conversation with the same question: 'Anything strange or startling?' One day, well into U2's run of stardom, the son decides to turn the question on the father, only to receive the devastating news that the old man has cancer. 'Stories of Surrender' is a disarming portrait of a self-aware megastar with an authentically personal demeanor, the kind of guy you might want to join for one of those pub conversations. If you do think Bono has a god complex, he comes across here as someone eager to sit down, laugh about it and perhaps tip a couple of pints.
Elle
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Amal Clooney Wore a Stunning Strapless Summer Dress For Dinner Date With George Clooney
On Friday, Amal and George Clooney enjoyed dinner with close friend Bono of U2 at Polo Bar in Manhattan. Amal wore a stunning strapless summer dress in white by Stella McCartney, which was wrapped in mesh fabric printed with a graphic cherry design. She accessorized with a black clutch, dangling gold earrings, and metallic heels with pointed toes. The human rights lawyer was wearing a natural makeup palette with a hint of a smokey eye. Holding her hand, George wore a navy suit over a black polo and a matching baseball cap, plus a pair of shiny black dress shoes. The couple has been friends with Bono and his wife, Alison Hewson, for many years, though the rock star appeared to be solo at dinner. Amal and George were recently separated as they traveled around the world. Amal attended the Cannes Film Festival for a screening of Bono's documentary, Stories of Surrender. There, she wore an off-the-shoulder black gown with a short train. It was an archival Christian Dior gown from John Galliano's time at the fashion house. On May 29, they were reunited at an event celebrating his hit Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck. They were also photographed posing backstage with Nancy Pelosi, Tanya Taylor, Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Huma Abedin. In 2022, after being named Women of the Year by Time magazine, Amal talked about her marriage and being mom to her twins, Ella and Alexander. 'Marriage has been wonderful,' she shared. 'I have in my husband a partner who is incredibly inspirational and supportive, and we have a home filled with love and laughter.' Of parenthood, she said, 'It is a joy beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I feel so lucky to have found a great love in my life, and to be a mother—this is how I get my balance.'
Perth Now
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bono: U2 is a democracy
Bono has described U2 as a "democracy". The 65-year-old rocker has explained how the 'With or Without You' band - which is also comprised of The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. - all chip in with ideas for new music, although it usually the lead guitarist's suggestions that are given preference. Asked how U2 work after more than 40 years in the industry, Bono is quoted by the Daily Star on Sunday newspaper's Wired column as saying: "Bloody democracy. Thom Yorke from Radiohead says, 'A band is like the United Nations, except I'm America.' "But U2 is an actual democracy. We all listen to each other, and then do what Edge says." Bono takes centre stage in the new Apple TV+ documentary film 'Stories of Surrender' - which documents a one-man performance he gave in New York in 2023 - although he doubts that his U2 bandmates are that interested in the project. He said: "I think Larry only likes Westerns, Adam said he liked the moonwalk, so I think perhaps he was looking at a different film. "Edge is always there. He's so supportive, especially when he sees me be open or be vulnerable, which is our definition of art." The Irish musician describes the film as "very intimate" and revealed that he took inspiration from the late Beatles icon John Lennon for the project. Bono explained: "It was always, 'Break open the ribcage, show what's the heart, let it bleed.' "That was the John Lennon way. So it starts with heart surgery." Meanwhile, the singer recently teased that he wants U2 to make "the sound of the future" on their next album. The 'Beautiful Day' artist said on 'Jimmy Kimmel! Live': "We've been in the studio and you've sometimes got to deal with the past to get to the present, in order to make the sound of the future. That's what we want to do." Bono also insisted that U2 continue to be very ambitious despite their long and successful career in music. He said: "It's the sound of four men, who feel like their lives depend on it. I remind them, they do. Nobody needs a new U2 album unless it's an extraordinary one. I'm feeling very strong about it."
Tom's Guide
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just watched ‘Bono: Stories of Surrender' through the Apple Vision Pro — and it could change the way we experience movies
'If you want your child to grow up to be a grand standing stadium singer there's two ways to go about it… You can tell them they're gifted and that the world needs to hear their voice. This is the Italian method. Or you can completely ignore them. This could the Irish method. Much more effective in my case.' Those are the wry words of U2's lead singer, which I heard through the Apple Vision Pro headset as part of "Bono: Stories of Surrender." This reimagining of Bono's one-man stage show premieres today on Apple TV Plus, but a special version has also been created for Apple's spatial computing headset. In fact, it's the first feature-length film available in Apple Immersive Video, the format Apple pioneered for its device using 8K cameras. The result is a 180-degree experience that is rich, intimate and downright trippy at times. However, as I attempted to sit through the nearly 90-minute feature, I experienced some unpleasant reminders of the Vision Pro's flaws. It was like I was on stage with Bono as he shared the pain of losing his mother and what his household was like afterwards as it became 'a river of silence.' The Vision Pro version is a combination of big-screen movie storytelling interspersed with jaw-dropping 3D clips that make you feel like you're in the venue with Bono — getting a better-than-front-row seat to hear some of the most iconic U2 songs and the stories behind them. For Bono, getting access to a guitar saved his life. It became a shield and a weapon as he gravitated towards rock with The Ramones and one day decided that he wanted to try to write songs himself. The presentation through the Vision Pro is a combination of big-screen movie storytelling interspersed with jaw-dropping 3D clips that make you feel like you're in the venue with Bono — getting a better-than-front-row seat to hear some of the most iconic U2 songs and the stories behind them. I'm sure the 2D version through Apple TV Plus will be engaging enough, but there's something about standing face-to-face with Bono as he shares the most intimate details about his upbringing, health scares and more. I felt like I could reach out and shake Bono's hand as I looked up at his face with his trademark specs right down to his shoes and the stage. And while 'Stories of Surrender' is shot in black-and-white, the immersive film cleverly works in pops of color with fluid animations here and there. As Bono told the story behind "Bloody Sunday" and the lyrics scribbled across the screen, I truly got sucked into the Immersive Video. Written by Edge, Bono shared that the mission of the song was to contrast the original Easter Sunday with the murder of 14 unarmed protesters in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. As Bono sings "How long must we sing this song" you can feel and see the pain as you see only the outline of his face in the foreground and a harp in the background on stage. But "Stories of Surrender" simply doesn't work without Bono's masterful storytelling and ability to play multiple characters. This includes Bono's father, who Bono describes as melting when he meets Princess Diana ahead of a charity concert with Luciano Pavarotti in Italy. As Bono impersonates the princess slowly walking towards his "da," he playfully described the encounter as "800 years of oppressions disappearing in 8 seconds." So while the Vision Pro brings "Stories of Surrender" to another level, U2's lead singer and his warmth and humor is the real star. As impressive as "Bono: Stories of Surrender" looks and sounds through the Vision Pro, I found that I couldn't comfortably watch the whole thing in a single sitting. I found myself needing to take breaks for a couple of reasons. First, the Vision Pro is a hefty headset, and I could feel the weight of it after 25 minutes or so. Yes, I could have swapped out the sleeker Solo Knit Band for the Dual Loop Band, which is more secure. But all the criss-crossing straps on the latter reminds me of something one might wear before getting a brain implant. I also felt some uncomfortable pressure around my eyes, which took me out of the vibe of Bono's heart-warming and humorous performance, not to mention his soaring vocals. There's a rumor Apple is working on a much lighter Vision Pro 2, and I think it would help a great deal. Lowering the $3,500 price would not hurt, either. "Bono: Stories of Surrender" serves up two major takeaways. The Vision Pro continues to deliver the most immersive entertainment experience of any headset. And Apple still has a long way to go in terms of bringing this experience to more people in a way that feels comfortable and natural. That's to take nothing away from this Apple Immersive Video. 'Stories of Surrender' is a great proof point for the promise of the format as content creators find ways to tell stories in new ways. It gets me thinking of what a season of "Severance" might look and feel like through this device (or its predecessor). Or perhaps the next season or version of "Ted Lasso."I'm looking forward to seeing where Apple takes Immersive Video next.
