Festivals - Cannes 2025 : Bono Opens His Heart in Stories of Surrender — A Standing Ovation for a Life Set to Music

By Mulder, Cannes, Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, 16 may 2025

Cannes is no stranger to cinematic magic, but every so often, something happens that transcends film and enters the realm of the deeply personal. On the evening of May 16, 2025, at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, one such moment unfolded with the world premiere of Bono: Stories of Surrender. Presented by Apple Original Films and directed by the ever-provocative Andrew Dominik (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James), this lyrical documentary reimagines the U2 frontman's intimate stage show, Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief..., into a powerful cinematic experience. What transpired wasn't just another special screening—it was a heartfelt communion between an artist and his audience. The proof? A full seven-minute standing ovation that left Bono visibly emotional, his Irish soul shining under the French Riviera spotlight as he joked, “I’m not a Frenchman. I’m an Irishman. I’m not even a self-made man… You wrote this story.”

This wasn’t Bono’s first dance with Cannes. Back in 2007, U2 lit up the festival with U2 3D and an unforgettable live performance on the steps of the Palais. But Stories of Surrender felt like a return of a different nature. Here, the rock icon wasn’t flanked by his bandmates, but instead stood alone—vulnerable, raw, and reflective. Filmed primarily at the Beacon Theatre in New York, this documentary draws deeply from Bono’s acclaimed 2022 memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, and peels back the layers of global stardom to reveal a son, a father, a husband, and a passionate activist grappling with legacy, loss, and love. The film doesn’t just showcase stripped-down versions of U2 classics; it excavates the meaning behind them—every chord a chapter, every lyric a lifeline.

The audience at Cannes included not just film and music royalty, but those closest to Bono: his wife Alison Hewson, their children Jordan and Elijah, U2’s The Edge, and long-time friends like Sean Penn, Amal Clooney, and Helena Christensen. It was Penn, in fact, who Bono acknowledged with particular reverence during his post-screening remarks. “If I was in the trenches—real trenches, not the ones on movie sets—I’d want to be with Sean Penn,” he said, in a moment that felt less like a celebrity shout-out and more like a battle-scarred toast between brothers-in-arms. Theirs is a friendship forged through decades of activism and creative collaboration, most notably when Bono contributed the haunting “Eden (To Find Love)” for Penn’s 2020 documentary Citizen Penn.

Behind the camera, Stories of Surrender boasts a powerhouse production team. It’s a joint venture between Apple Original Films, RadicalMedia, and Plan B Entertainment—the latter bringing in the heavyweights like Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner. Alongside them, producers Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick of Summer of Soul and Hamilton pedigree ensure the film pulses with artistic credibility and emotional resonance. Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt (Oscar winner for Mank) crafts a visual language that feels both intimate and grand, while editor and executive producer Lasse Järvi shapes the narrative with sensitivity and pace. Bono himself serves as executive producer, alongside longtime collaborators Jennifer Pitcher and Kelly McNamara.

But perhaps what truly elevates Stories of Surrender is its leap into uncharted territory: it will be the first feature-length film released in Apple Immersive Video for the Vision Pro headset. Set to debut on May 30, 2025, on Apple TV+, the immersive edition places viewers in a 180-degree 8K video environment, enhanced by spatial audio. It’s not just about watching Bono—it’s about standing on stage with him, hearing the breath between words, feeling the weight of his silence, and inhabiting his memories. It’s a bold technical step, but one that aligns perfectly with Bono’s ethos: always reaching, always searching, never settling.

And while this immersive innovation is exciting, the heart of the film remains in its stories—personal, often painful, always honest. Whether he’s recounting moments with his father, grappling with his activism during times of global crisis, or laughing at the chaos of life on the road, Bono proves that his greatest instrument might not be his voice, but his willingness to share. Director Andrew Dominik, notably absent from the Cannes screening, was warmly thanked by Bono, who marveled, “I can’t believe you got those performances out of me.” It’s a testament to a creative bond that allowed vulnerability to become not just a theme, but the driving force of the film.

In many ways, Stories of Surrender is the anti-rockumentary. There are no pyrotechnics, no backstage bacchanals. Instead, it’s a meditation on memory and meaning, told by a man who has stood in stadiums before millions and now finds courage in solitude. It’s Bono stripped of myth, yet somehow more legendary than ever. The film invites audiences not just to admire the man, but to know him—to sit with his doubts, his humor, and his awe for the strange gift that is life.

Cannes 2025 may host dozens of premieres, but few will linger in the heart like this one. Bono: Stories of Surrender is not just a film—it’s a love letter to art, to memory, and to the people who shape us. Whether you’re a lifelong U2 fan or simply curious about the man behind the sunglasses, prepare to be disarmed. Because sometimes, surrender is the most powerful act of all.

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Synopsis : 
A lyrical exploration of Bono's show, “Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief...”, in which he lifts the veil on his extraordinary life and on his family, friends and faith, which have challenged and sustained him, while revealing the personal stories that have marked his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. In this documentary featuring never-before-seen and exclusive footage from the shows at the Beacon Theatre, Bono performs the iconic songs of U2 that have shaped his life and legacy.

Bono: Stories of Surrender
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Produced by Meredith Bennett, Dede Gardner, Jon Kamen, Jeremy Kleiner, Brad Pitt, Alec Sash
Dave Sirulnick
Starring Bono
Cinematography : Erik Messerschmidt
Edited by Lasse Järvi
Production companies : Apple Original Films, Plan B Entertainment, RadicalMedia
Distributed by Apple TV+
Release dates : May 16, 2025 (Cannes),  May 30, 2025 (Apple TV+)
Running time : 86 minutes

Photos : @fannyrlphotography