Review | Venice 2023: Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus movie review – Japanese composer’s final concert film is a must-see for his followers
- Sakamoto, who died this year from cancer, recorded this performance in 2022, and his concentration and determination shine through
- He plays 20 tracks from his career, from film scores to his work with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, for a film shot by his son Neo Sora in black and white
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3.5/5 stars
For some years, Sakamoto had been unable to perform live, let alone handle the gruelling rigours of a tour. But that didn’t stop him here.
Recording in late 2022 on an empty soundstage, the musician takes us through 20 pieces that span his entire career. Dressed in black, with tortoiseshell glasses perched on his face, he barely utters a word, his face filled with concentration.
Premiering out of competition at this year’s Venice International Film Festival, this elegantly simple film is directed by Sakamoto’s son, Neo Sora, who captures his father’s dexterity at the keyboard with the camera delicately, sometimes almost apologetically, prowling around him.
Filmed in black and white, an Anglepoise lamp mounted on his Yamaha piano alongside several microphones, Sakamoto is dramatically draped in shadow. At one point a spotlight catches his shock of white hair, creating an almost mesmerising halo-like effect.
At points, it’s tough to watch; for an artist who surely prided himself on perfection, he’s not always note perfect, removing his hands from the keyboard. “Let’s go again,” he mutters, after coughing.
A little later, he adds: “I need a break. This is tough. I am pushing myself.”
While these are the only words you get to hear, it’s telling that this musical maestro was quietly struggling with his health. Still, these are just fleeting moments in an otherwise flawless performance.
Sakamoto even demonstrates a bit of prepared piano for one piece, adding metal clips to the strings to create a unique musical flavour.
Given modern-day exhibitors these days lean into programming one-night-only showings of concert films, you can imagine Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus playing well under these circumstances.
With his music capable of both soothing and searing the soul, as it does here, audiences will simply have one task at hand: find a cinema with a first-rate surround-sound system.
