Ryuichi Sakamoto was a legendary Japanese composer of over 70 films across his 40 year career before his passing in 2023. Movies graced with his original music include Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence starring David Bowie, Snake Eyes starring Nicolas Cage and The Revenant, which won Leonardo DiCaprio his Oscar. Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus is one of multiple films containing Sakamoto playing compositions of his on piano and is the final instalment. Opus was always planned to be his last concert film, however Sakamoto’s passing casts an additional shadow over the performance and music that permeates and enriches the film.
Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus. Directed by Neo Sora, 2023.
I often jot down notes on a notepad while watching films that I’m reviewing, but during Opus I simply couldn’t. I found myself swept away by a master of the craft performing his emotionally charged swansong over a runtime within which it’s impossible not to lose oneself. Opus is directed by Neo Sora, who is Sakamoto’s son, the knowledge of which contributes to Opus’ extremely personal portrayal of the composer and his work. Sora creates an intimate environment using slow moving zooms and close-ups of Sakamoto’s hands gracing the piano keys, creating an atmosphere which compliments the heavenly melodies born of the prestigious musician’s mind. Watching Ryuichi Sakamoto play the piano is the musical equivalent of watching a god shaping the Earth around him, however Sakamoto’s compositions are far too touching to be created by anyone but a man who has walked the earth for decades, far more human than any song a deity could conceive. Opus was intended to be performed live in front of an audience like his other concert films, however Sakamoto’s health needed to be considered, and Sakamoto as well as his team were more confident in playing the songs remotely and recording them over multiple sessions.
Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus. Directed by Neo Sora, 2023.
Regarding Opus, Sakamoto said: “The project was conceived as a way to record my performances, while I was still able to perform, in a way that is worth preserving for the future.”, a perfect example of Sakamoto’s favourite adage, ‘ars longa, vita brevis’. Translating from Latin as “art is long, life is short”, it reflects the legendary composer’s approach to life as a whole. Sorry to spoil a film entirely about a piano performance, but the final shot consists of the piano playing itself, with the sound of Sakamoto walking away after it stops. Not only an emotional gut punch, reminding you of the passing of a man who put his entire life into the melodies that blessed your ears for the last hour and 45 minutes, but also, most strikingly, emphasises Sakamoto’s immaculate legacy and encapsulates his approach to the longevity of art.
Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus portrays a man’s life through his work and cements his legacy as one of the greatest composers to ever grace the silver screen, and it is playing at the Somerville Auditorium for one night only, Monday the 19th of February, through Perth Festival.