"War Is Over" billboards promote Lennon film

[DeepModem Mom]

"War Is Over" billboards promote Lennon film
By Nicole Sperling


A fan holds up a picture of John Lennon at a candlelight vigil on the 25th anniversary of Lennon's death at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, New York City, December 8, 2005. In an effort to tap into anti-war sentiment, billboards will appear in New York and Los Angeles this month declaring "War Is Over! If You Want It." REUTERS/Peter Foley

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In an effort to tap into anti-war sentiment, billboards will appear in New York and Los Angeles this month declaring "War Is Over! If You Want It."

The statement is not so much political as commercial: independent film distributor Lionsgate is using them to promote its documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon," set to open September 15 in both cities.

The billboards are a reproduction of those created and posted by Lennon and wife Yoko Ono in 11 cities in 1969 as a protest against the Vietnam War.

The documentary from filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld is a chronicle of Lennon's transformation from musician to anti-war activist and how the U.S. government sought to silence him, in the view of the filmmakers. Leaf, Scheinfeld and Lionsgate marketing executives spent a lot of time with Ono preparing the campaign.

"It's unfortunate that the world is at war" again, Leaf said. "I think a story about John Lennon, who was fearless in his campaign for peace, is particularly relevant in a time when fear seems to rule."...

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1119702006

[acmavm]

1. Jeez, I miss John Lennon. He was truly a man who put his

ass on the line and wasn't just talk and hype. George Harrison too.

[Patchuli]

3. I miss John too!

Nixon feared him for very good reason. If he were alive now, he'd be just as feared by the Shrub for good reason.

I miss Jerry Garcia too. Yesterday was his birthday. Both he and John would have been speaking out about all this * Administration monstrosities! Where are our poets?! Music is what spurred my generation to protest and speak up! Where are the poets for the current generation?!

[Bjorn Against]

7. Protest movement is still alive, Clear Channel just doesn't like it

Listen to System of a Down, Green Day, NOFX, Ani DiFranco, Anti-Flag, and Propagandhi for starters. Roger Waters has a new album coming out as well which will tell the story of a victim of torture, expect it to make some right-wing heads explode.

[Kolesar]

4. John certainly had a message

You could groove to his catchy tunes and enjoy his music, but when reading his carefully constructed songs, you would become a new person. I loved seeing him in TV interviews from that period. John certainly had an understanding of the human situation and how to act to solve our problems.

[robertpaulsen]

2. K & R!

:kick:

[corkhead]

5. this one?

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Looks like it -- thanks, corkhead! nt

[chat_noir]

8. A MESSAGE FROM YOKO - DECEMBER 1998

This is a billboard event John and I did 29 years ago, in Xmas of 1969. At the time, it created good vibrations around the world and gave people strength.

The message is "We can do it". and it's still valid. If one billion people in the world would think peace - we're gonna get it. You may think "well, how are we going to get one billion people to think? Isn't this something we should leave to the politicians, who have the power to do those things?" Well, politicians cannot do anything without your support. We are the power. Remember, you don't have to do much. The power works in delicate and mysterious ways. Visualize the domino effect and just start thinking positive, that we are all together in this. Thoughts are infectious.

For this Holiday Season I wanted this to be a gift to you from John and I. Have fun with it. Stand in front of the Billboard. Take photos of yourselves, your friends and family. Send them out, so the message will circulate.

Above all, have fun. I hope you have a good one. Lots of love.

Yoko Ono

December 1, 1998


http://www.instantkarma.com/warisover.html

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Beautiful! Thanks, chat. nt

[Hailtothechimp]

9. Proud to be a Lionsgate shareholder.

They brought us F9/11 when Disney lost the guts to put it out. That alone says something about the company.

They clearly are using Lennon to strike at the current situation. Good for them.

Their stock symbol is LGF. Check them out if you are looking for an investment. I've made no money yet, but I expect to when somebody buys them out in 2 or 3 years.

[Onceuponalife]

11. Yoko rocks

[Nevernose]

12. I might just start smoking pot again...(n/t)

(n/t)