Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus

On March 28th, 2023, legendary composer Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away after his struggle against cancer. In the years leading up to his death, Sakamoto could no longer perform live. Single concerts, not to mention sprawling global tours, were too taxing. Despite this, in late 2022, Sakamoto mustered all of his energy to leave the world with one final performance: a concert film, featuring just him and his piano. Curated by Sakamoto himself and presented in his chosen order, the twenty pieces performed in the film wordlessly narrate his life through his music. The selection spans his entire career, from his popstar Yellow Magic Orchestra period to his magnificent Bertolucci film scores, to music from his meditative final album 12. Intimately filmed in a space he knew well, surrounded by his most trusted collaborators, Sakamoto bares his soul through his music, knowing this may be the last time that he can present his art. A celebration of an artist’s life in the purest sense, this immersive film experience is the definitive swan song of the beloved maestro.

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Direction: Neo Sora

Cinematography: Bill Kirstein

Editing: Takuya Kawakami

Sound: ZAK

Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto

Actors: Ryuichi Sakamoto

Production: KAB America Inc

Producers: Norika Sora, Albert Tholen, Aiko Masubuchi, Eric Nyari

Executive producer: Jeremy Thomas

Format: DCP

Color: B&W

Production Country: Japan

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 103'

Contact: Film Constellation

Neo Sora

Filmography

2020 The Chicken (short)
2022: Sugar Glass Bottle (short)
2023: Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus