IRISHFILMTV.COM

From stadium anthems to intimate confessions, U2’s cinematic journey continues to evolve with Apple Original Films’ announcement of BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER, premiering globally on Apple TV+ on May 30, 2025. True to the band’s pioneering spirit, this documentary will make history as the first feature-length film available on Apple Vision Pro in Apple Immersive Video, placing viewers directly onstage with Bono in a groundbreaking 180-degree visual experience captured in 8K with Spatial Audio.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Dominik (THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES), this documentary reimagines Bono’s critically-acclaimed one-man stage show based on his 2022 memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs One Story.” The film peels back layers of the iconic frontman’s life, revealing intimate stories about his journey as a son who lost his mother at 14, a husband who met his wife Ali the same week he joined U2, a father, an activist, and the rockstar we’ve watched evolve over decades.

“These are the tall tales of a short rock star,” Bono quips in the trailer with characteristic self-awareness. “This is my story, I’m stuck with it.” The documentary features never-before-seen footage from his April 2023 residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre, intertwining personal reflections with performances of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped both his life and legacy.

The cinematic pedigree behind BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER is as impressive as U2’s musical credentials. The film is produced by RadicalMedia’s Oscar and Emmy-winning team Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick, known for SUMMER OF SOUL and HAMILTON, alongside Plan B Entertainment’s Oscar-winning producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner, whose credits include MOONLIGHT and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Bono himself serves as executive producer alongside Jennifer Pitcher (KISS THE FUTURE) and Kelly McNamara (V-U2 AN IMMERSIVE CONCERT FILM AT SPHERE LAS VEGAS).

This latest visual offering continues U2’s long tradition of embracing innovative filmmaking to connect with audiences. From their groundbreaking concert films to documentary explorations, the band has consistently used the cinematic medium to extend their artistic vision beyond music alone. The Apple Vision Pro version represents the natural evolution of this approach, literally placing fans center stage in Bono’s narrative.

Coinciding with the film’s release, fans can look forward to an abridged and updated edition of Bono’s memoir featuring a film tie-in cover and new introduction by the author. The book, like the film, structures Bono’s life story through 40 of U2’s songs, creating a multimedia tapestry that weaves together music, memory, and meaning.

BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER represents more than just another music documentary; it’s the latest chapter in U2’s ongoing exploration of how technology and art can create deeper, more immersive connections between artist and audience. For a band that has consistently pushed boundaries since their earliest days, this cinematic journey feels like both a fitting reflection on their past and a glimpse into the future of music storytelling.