Kevin Macdonald

Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald sits down to discuss his groundbreaking documentary One to One, a film that redefines how we understand John Lennon and Yoko Ono in early 1970s New York. Using archival footage—from TV shows, protests, commercials, news footage, and intimate home recordings Macdonald creates a fully immersive, 360-degree view of their lives, activism, and art. From John Lennon’s one and only post-Beatles concert at Madison Square Garden, to Yoko Ono’s conceptual artistry and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into the film’s meticulous reconstruction, the creative process behind its storytelling, and the political and cultural context of the era. Discover how One to One blends history, humanity, and artistry to reveal John and Yoko like never before. Perfect for Beatles fans, documentary enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of culture, activism, and art. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 00:00 – Teaser: Three Blind Men & an Elephant 00:31 – Host Intro: Setting Up the Conversation 02:02 – Introducing Kevin Macdonald 03:10 – Origins of One to One 06:12 – Building Trust With Participants 09:45 – The Intimacy of the Film’s Format 13:20 – Navigating Ethics & Responsibility 17:05 – Crafting Narrative From Raw Lives 21:18 – The Role of Empathy in Documentary Filmmaking 24:56 – Creative Choices Behind the Camera 28:40 – What Kevin Learned From the Project 32:10 – Reflections on Human Connection 35:28 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices