Japanese Director’s First Fictional Feature Earns Critical Praise at Venice Film Festival
Metrograph Pictures has secured the North American distribution rights for Happyend, the highly anticipated debut fictional feature from Japanese director Neo Sora. The film, a high school delinquent drama tinged with dystopian political themes, premiered at the Venice Film Festival to critical acclaim as part of the festival’s Horizons section.
Following its successful Venice premiere, Happyend is set to continue its festival run with screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and New York Film Festival. Metrograph Pictures plans to release the film in U.S. cinemas next year, with global sales outside the U.S. being handled by Magnify.
Although Happyend marks Sora’s first foray into fictional filmmaking, he made waves at Venice last year with his documentary Opus, which chronicled the final performance of his father, the late, legendary musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. This personal connection to his previous work adds a poignant layer to his evolving career in cinema.
Critics have responded enthusiastically to Sora’s latest effort, with The Hollywood Reporter’s lead critic, David Rooney, praising the film for its emotional depth and relevance. Rooney described Happyend as striking “an expert tonal balance between the bittersweet, elegiac qualities of the end-of-school drama” while also offering “a light yet lingering touch to larger fears affecting all of us.”
Set in a futuristic Tokyo on the brink of a massive earthquake, Happyend follows the story of two best friends nearing the end of their high school journey. A prank they pull on their principal triggers the installation of a high-tech surveillance system in their school, and as political tensions rise across Japan, the once inseparable friends find their relationship strained by diverging opinions on how to deal with the increasingly oppressive political climate.
Reflecting on the inspiration for the film, Sora shared in a statement: “I made this film imagining what a near-future might look like, drawing parallels with Japan’s history of earthquakes unearthing social contradictions. So much of this film comes from my own experiences growing up in New York, and the friendships that have been fundamental to my life. I can’t wait to see how the film will connect with audiences in the U.S.”
Metrograph Pictures head David Laub also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “Neo Sora is such an exciting new cinematic voice, and Happyend is a bold, unique, and deeply resonant film. It’s set in the near future but it’s really about our lives right now. Neo has crafted a moving and often humorous story of friendship and growing up set within a remarkably fresh and surprising world. We are thrilled to be working with Neo and distributing this one-of-a-kind film.”
With its blend of personal storytelling and social commentary, Happyend is poised to resonate with international audiences, offering both a cautionary tale and a heartfelt exploration of friendship in uncertain times. As the film continues its festival circuit, anticipation for its U.S. release grows, positioning Neo Sora as an emerging talent to watch in contemporary cinema.
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