Ryuichi Sakamoto|Opus Dir: Neo Sora (13th Floor/NZIFF Film Review)

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Famed Japanese composer/pianist/actor Ryuichi Sakamoto performs one last time, just months before his death at age 71.

Sakamoto helped invent electro-dance music in the late 1970s with his band, Yellow Magic Orchestra (Computer Games/Behind The Mask/Firecracker) before striking out on his own in the 80s composing award-winning film scores for Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (1983), The Last Emperor (1987) and The Revenant (2015).

He even took a starring role in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence alongside David Bowie. Interestingly it was Sakamoto who wrote the BAFTA-winning soundtrack, not Bowie and several scenes were shot in Auckland at Kings College.

Like David Bowie and his Blackstar album, Ryuichi Sakamoto knew the end was near after he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in 2021 after his initial throat cancer went into remission. Determined to make one final piece of art, Ryuichi and his son, Neo Sora, who was in his early 30s, planned a filmed performance that would become this documentary.

The two spent a great deal of time planning the lighting and camera placement so the camera, the lights, the music and Ryuichi’s face would tell this last story.

So, in September of 2022, the two, along with a full video crew painstakingly recorded Ryuichi Sakamoto performing 20 of his compositions on a Yamaha grand piano.

There is barely a word spoken throughout the 1 hour 43 minute running time. There are a few moments when the pianist struggles to continue, complaining of fatigue but he soldiers on.

The music is beautifully recorded…I love that we can hear the piano pedals…and, for the most part the playing is flawless. There are a few bum notes, but given the circumstance, it is to be expected and it only adds to the drama…that of an artist determined to make one last statement before he shuffles off.

The music becomes almost incedental…it is the light, the angles and the presence of a man engrossed in his art that makes this film special.

Six months later, Ryuichi Sakamoto finally succumbed to his cancer. But like his co-star, Mr. Bowie, he has left us with one last reminder of what he managed to accomplish over his 71 years.

Marty Duda

Ryuichi Sakamoto| Opus will be shown at this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival. Click here for tickets. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty Duda
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