Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus: A Musical Masterpiece, A Heartfelt Farewell
Experience the Final Performance of a Legend Who Redefined the Boundaries of Music

Few artists leave behind a legacy as profound and enduring as Ryuichi Sakamoto. In his final gift to the world, the beloved composer, pianist, and innovator invites us into his most intimate performance—Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus. Curated and orchestrated by Sakamoto himself, this concert film transcends the boundaries of time, offering audiences an unforgettable journey through his life’s work. The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam is honored to host the exclusive screening of this deeply personal and poignant masterpiece. Join us on January 10, 2025, in Hanoi, and January 12, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, as we celebrate the timeless artistry of Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Born in Tokyo in 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto began his meteoric rise with his solo debut album, A Thousand Knives (1978). That same year, he co-founded the revolutionary electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono, forever changing the landscape of contemporary music. Following YMO’s disbandment in 1983, Sakamoto embarked on a prolific solo career, crafting groundbreaking albums and collaborating with artists worldwide. His bold exploration of sound and emotion earned him international acclaim, cementing his reputation as a true musical pioneer. Sakamoto’s genius extended beyond the concert hall to the silver screen. As a film composer, he created unforgettable scores for iconic films such as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), for which he received a BAFTA, and The Last Emperor (1987), which earned him an Academy Award and Grammy. His compositions remain celebrated for their emotional depth and innovative spirit.

On March 28, 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 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, Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus is the definitive swan song of the beloved Maestro.

WORLD PREMIERE
Venice International Film Festival in 2023
Special Screening
OPUS 103 MIN

EVENT INFORMATION

CREDITS

Organized by: The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

Film credits:
Directed by Neo Sora
Director of Photography Bill Kirstein
Produced by Norika Sora, Albert Tholen, Aiko Masubuchi, Eric Nyari
Executive Producer Jeremy Thomas
Editor Takuya Kawakami
Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by ZAK

ARTIST PROFILE

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO – Selected Filmography
1983 – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, dir. Nagisa Oshima (BAFTA Winner)
1987 – The Last Emperor, dir. Bernardo Bertolucci (Academy Award & Golden Globe Winner)
1990 – Sheltering Sky, dir. Bernardo Bertolucci (Golden Globe Winner)
1991 – High Heels, dir. Pedro Almodovar
1992 – Wuthering Heights, dir. Peter Kominsky
1993 – Little Buddha, dir. Bernardo Bertolucci
2002 – Femme Fatale, dir. Brian DePalma
2004 – Tony Takitani, dir. Jun Ichikawa
2011 – Harakiri: Death of a Samurai, dir. Takashi Miike
2015 – The Revenant, dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu
2017 – The Fortress, dir. Hwang Dong-hyuk
2020 – Love After Love dir. Ann Hui (40th Hong Kong Film Awards Winner)

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO – Selected Discography
1978 – THOUSAND KNIVES
1980 – B-2 UNIT
1981 – BMG (as YMO)
1981 – Technodelic (as YMO)
1984 – Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia
1987 – NEO GEO
1989 – Beauty
1992 – Heartbeat
1994 – SWEET REVENGE
1996 – 1996
1999 – BTTB
2002 – vrioon (with Alva Noto)
2001 – Casa (with Jaques Morelenbaum, Paula Morelenbaum)
2004 – CHASM
2009 – out of noise
2012 – THREE
2017 – async
2023 – 12

IMAGES FOR PR & REFERENCES 

Ryuichi Sakamoto _ Opus_©️ 2022 Kab Inc.

Ryuichi Sakamoto _ Opus_©️ 2022 Kab Inc.

Ryuichi Sakamoto _ Opus_©️ 2022 Kab Inc.

Ryuichi Sakamoto _ Opus_©️ 2022 Kab Inc.

Remarks:

For the usage of the following images for your media, please kindly put the credit and information below, and please get the original size of the images at: (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MuAUAyE8lzP8CKUrzdrC3GR7mUMDL4eM?usp=sharing)

For inquiries on the program, please contact at:
_______________________________________________________

Ms. Huong 024-3944-7419 (ext. 106) / Mr. Osuka (070-513-7550)
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
TEL 024-3944-7419