Happyend (Filmfest Aachen 2025)

In the organizer's words:

This screening is part of Filmfest Aachen 2025

Happyend

2025, Japan, 113 min, Neo Sora, Japanese, NRW Premiere
Original version with english subtitles

In a subtly dystopian Japan, a school implements a social credit system reminiscent of China's. Privacy turns into surveillance. Director Neo Sora, son of the renowned film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, has previously translated his father's piano sounds into visual equivalents throughout his work. Sakamoto passed away in 2023. Happyend marks Sora's emancipation as a filmmaker-yet his love for music lives on, resonating through both the underground techno scenes and the quiet piano score. The biggest strength of the film is its clean portrait of collective protest.

In a subtly dystopian Japan, a school introduces a social credit system reminiscent of China. Privacy becomes surveillance. Director Neo Sora, son of renowned film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, has translated his father's piano sounds into visual equivalents in his previous work. Sakamoto passed away in 2023, and Happyend marks Sora's emancipation as a filmmaker - and yet his love of music lives on, noticeable both in the underground techno scenes and in the quiet piano accompaniment. The film's greatest strength is its clear portrait of collective protest.

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