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“The Lost Weekend” was the handle John implemented (picked up by subsequent narrators) to describe the period of his separation from Yoko, during which time a romantic relationship began with his 22 year-old personal assistant, May Pang. Once the couple reconciled, May’s impact on his life was swept under the rug in all sanctioned tellings, in the service of a narrative propping up the John and Yoko love story as the ultimate double fantasy: literally describing themselves as Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning incarnate.
Others beg to differ and among them is May herself. Her story was told twice in book form (Loving John and Instamatic Karma) but now a new documentary film chronicles their time together on the big screen, supported by other witnesses and loads of photos, footage and writings. The Lost Weekend: A Love Story is coming to theaters, while an exhibit of May’s photos has already hit the road across the US.
Here’s where to track the latest on May’s photo exhibit and the film: https://www.maypang.com/
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The film was really well made. It moved along very quickly despite it heavily relying on still photos (most of which we’ve never seen before). The interviews were superb and getting Julian’s input was crucial to the story. I loved the animated bits being drawn as you watched them, like the 1970s phone shaking when it was ringing and the animated hand coming in to answer it. I only wish it had not been called “The Lost Weekend” because as Robert has pointed out, it was more of a ‘found’ weekend than lost.
The film played only three times at only two theaters in Toronto over one weekend. For a major city that’s pretty pathetic. There were a total of 10 people at the screening I went to – including myself, and not including a 20-something dude in a hoodie who came flying in just as the film started and left about a third of the way through. Not his cup of tea I guess. Interest in the Fabs sure isn’t what it used to be.
It was interesting to hear exactly when John left May Pang. May says that John left her to go back to Yoko on February 3rd 1975 – but Sean was born on October 9th 1975 (John’s birthday as we know). That’s only 8 months. So he must have been sneaking away to see Yoko in January.
The film was really well made. It moved along very quickly despite it heavily relying on still photos (most of which we’ve never seen before). The interviews were superb and getting Julian’s input was crucial to the story. I loved the animated bits being drawn as you watched them, like the 1970s phone shaking when it was ringing and the animated hand coming in to answer it. I only wish it had not been called “The Lost Weekend” because as Robert has pointed out, it was more of a ‘found’ weekend than lost.
The film played only three times at only two theaters in Toronto over one weekend. For a major city that’s pretty pathetic. There were a total of 10 people at the screening I went to – including myself, and not including a 20-something dude in a hoodie who came flying in just as the film started and left about a third of the way through. Not his cup of tea I guess. Interest in the Fabs sure isn’t what it used to be.
It was interesting to hear exactly when John left May Pang. May says that John left her to go back to Yoko on February 3rd 1975 – but Sean was born on October 9th 1975 (John’s birthday as we know). That’s only 8 months. So he must have been sneaking away to see Yoko in January.
One of your best interviews yet! May comes across as genuinely a nice person.
Whilst it’s true that Yoko didn’t break up the Beatles it’s fair to say she was a factor in them not reuniting in the seventies…
One of your best interviews yet! May comes across as genuinely a nice person.
Whilst it’s true that Yoko didn’t break up the Beatles it’s fair to say she was a factor in them not reuniting in the seventies…
Goldman’s book says that Sean was an induced birth, his birth induced to coincide with John’s birthday – he was also likely addicted to opiates in utero due to Yoko’s habits, Goldman’s book indicates.
That would explain it Branko. I deliberately never read Goldman’s book. Maybe Robert know if this is true.
Goldman’s book says that Sean was an induced birth, his birth induced to coincide with John’s birthday – he was also likely addicted to opiates in utero due to Yoko’s habits, Goldman’s book indicates.
That would explain it Branko. I deliberately never read Goldman’s book. Maybe Robert know if this is true.
The film, much to my chagrin, was never shown in theater in my neck of the woods. Shame, since there’s been very little else around that’s worth spending the money. I hope this hits streaming media soon.
The film, much to my chagrin, was never shown in theater in my neck of the woods. Shame, since there’s been very little else around that’s worth spending the money. I hope this hits streaming media soon.