"War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko" received the prestigious Oscar for Best Animated Short, a moment made poignant by Sean Lennon's touching tribute to his mother, Yoko Ono, during the acceptance speech. Filmmakers Dave Mullins and Brad Booker, joined by Lennon on stage, concluded their remarks with a heartfelt "Happy Mother's Day, Yoko!"—a nod to the U.K.'s Mother's Day coinciding with the event.
In his speech, Mullins emphasized the film's aim to honor the anti-war message of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's song, expressing gratitude for Sean Lennon's invaluable contributions as the executive producer and creative partner. Backstage, Booker praised Sean Lennon's charisma and ability to convey the right sentiments, adding that meeting Yoko was a cherished experience for the team.
"War Is Over!" is an 11-minute animated film set in an alternate World War I reality, drawing inspiration from Lennon and Ono's iconic song, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." Mullins highlighted the filmmakers' sense of responsibility in adapting the 1971 single, aiming to uphold its anti-war message while presenting it in a creative and emotionally resonant manner.
Reflecting on the project's inception in 2021 and its completion in October, the filmmakers acknowledged the unsettling timing amidst ongoing conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. Booker shared a personal connection to the song, having been born shortly before its release, and emphasized Sean Lennon's desire to amplify its message of peace.
Mullins succinctly summarized the film's core message as a plea for peaceful resolutions to conflict: "There’s a lot of fighting, there’s a lot of war, there’s other ways to solve it. And that’s what I think John and Yoko were trying to say, like, maybe talk a little more, kill a little less. That’s the idea, and that’s what we tried to show in the film."
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