Bono’s “Stories of Surrender”: A Vision Pro First That Gets You Closer to the Man Than Ever Before
For decades, Bono has been a global rock icon, a seemingly ever-present figure on the world stage. But for many, like the author who saw U2 rise from War to Joshua Tree ubiquity, he was more contemporary than enigma. Now, a groundbreaking immersive film, “Bono: Stories of Surrender,” released on Apple Vision Pro, peels back the layers, offering an unprecedentedly intimate and innovative look at the man behind the sunglasses – Paul Hewson.
This isn’t your typical rock documentary or concert film. Instead, “Bono: Stories of Surrender” is a deeply personal, feature-length journey adapted from his 2022 memoir. It’s a poignant, funny, and often intense exploration of his life, primarily focusing on the complex and formative relationship with his father, Bob Hewson, or “Da.”
An Immersive Leap into Bono’s World with Apple Vision Pro
What sets this experience apart is its delivery: “Bono: Stories of Surrender” is billed as the first immersive video feature-length film ever released on Vision Pro. Director Andrew Dominik masterfully utilizes the Vision Pro’s expansive, almost 360-degree canvas. Shot predominantly in stark black and white, the film places Bono on a spare stage – a few chairs, a table, a symbolic pint of Guinness.
But this minimalist setting becomes a dynamic landscape through the headset’s native 3D capabilities. As Bono recounts his Irish tales – from the sudden death of his mother when he was 14, to his father’s subsequent silence about her – 3D line drawings, lyrics, and symbolic imagery envelop the viewer, painting scenes around Bono and seemingly reaching into the space above. While minor tech glitches were noted in a preview, the overall experience is described as profoundly immersive and moving.
More Than a Performance: A Storyteller Unveiled
Don’t expect a U2 stadium show. Bono himself admits it’s “almost transgressive” to be on stage without his bandmates. He’s backed by the Jacknife Lee ensemble, featuring an electronic drum kit and a harpsichordist/backup singer. This unconventional setup works, supporting Bono’s still-powerful voice – clear, loud, and agile, a talent perhaps inherited from his tenor father. He even offers some operatic singing in a touching homage.
The music serves the narrative. While iconic U2 songs like “Pride,” “With or Without You,” and “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” are featured, their performances are often reinterpretations (like an almost a cappella “Sunday, Bloody Sunday”) designed to illuminate the stories behind their creation. This focus on lyrical origins offers fresh insight, though some may yearn for full-blown renditions of U2 classics like “I Will Follow.”
Hubris, Struggles, and a Bigger Heart
The film, roughly 90 minutes, begins with Bono’s 2016 heart surgery. While a dramatic opening, it soon gives way to a compelling tapestry of hubris, struggles, and epiphanies. We learn about the origins of his musical passion, the formation of U2, and meeting his wife of over 40 years, Ali Hewson. There’s humor too, notably a story involving Luciano Pavarotti.
By the end, “Bono: Stories of Surrender” offers a tantalizing glimpse into the “real Bono” – a man of big tales and, it seems, an even bigger heart. He shifts from being a familiar rockstar to someone more relatable, someone you might just want to connect with.
The Vision Pro Verdict & Accessibility
The Apple Vision Pro headset, despite its $3,499 price tag, largely delivers a brilliant job, though 90 minutes can be a long time to wear it (battery life dwindled to 10% by the film’s end). Comfort, using accessories like the dual-loop band, and occasional breaks are recommended.
Ultimately, “Bono: Stories of Surrender” is a unique convergence of deeply personal storytelling and cutting-edge technology. Whether you experience it through the groundbreaking immersion of Vision Pro or on Apple TV+ (where it’s also available), you’re likely to discover a new dimension to one of music’s most enduring figures. This isn’t just a film; it’s an invitation to understand Paul Hewson, the man, the son, and the artist, in a way never before possible.
