Sean Ono Lennon’s directorial debut, ThreeASFOUR: FULL CIRCLE, will premiere Sunday night at the Tribeca Festival and later receive a fall release at New York’s Film Forum through new distributor Assembly Releasing. Co-directed with Brian C. González, the documentary offers an intimate portrait of the avant-garde fashion collective ThreeASFOUR, whose members have spent more than 25 years creating highly original clothing inspired by natural forms, unconventional construction, and experimental techniques.
The film follows the work and personal dynamic of Gabi Asfour, Angela Donhauser and Adi Gil, whose label has built a devoted international following and earned recognition from institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award. Their designs have also attracted admirers including Björk and Chloë Sevigny, and have been exhibited in museums around the world. But Lennon says what drew him most to the project was the tension between artistic vision and the commercial pressures of the fashion business.
He said he was struck by how the group’s work was widely admired for its beauty and innovation, yet they still faced ongoing struggles in adapting to an industry that often demands practicality, scalability and profit. The documentary shows scenes of detailed sketching, sewing, fabric manipulation and runway preparation alongside moments of uncertainty about finances and rent, underscoring the gap between creative ambition and business reality.
Lennon also emphasizes how difficult the collective’s designs are to produce on a mass scale. Because the garments feature curved seams, irregular shapes and unusual construction, they are not easily handed off to outside manufacturers. That challenge becomes part of the film’s portrait of the artists’ persistence and commitment to making work on their own terms.
Another central theme is the collective’s cross-cultural collaboration. Asfour has roots in Palestine, Gil in Israel and Donhauser in Germany, and Lennon says their backgrounds helped shape a shared philosophy centered on peace, dialogue and creative exchange. He describes that spirit as deeply resonant with his own worldview and family history, and says the project became, for him, a meaningful reflection on those values.
The documentary took more than five years to film, with Lennon working alongside González and writer-editor Jenny Golden. He acknowledged that filming close friends was not always easy, but said the group was generous in allowing their lives and work to be captured on camera. Lennon said they are happy with the result and excited for the film’s release.
Assembly Releasing, the new distributor handling the Film Forum run, was founded by Jessica Edwards, Shani Ankori and Emily Rothschild.
