Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Farewell Concert Film to Hit Screens in May: Poster and Trailer Revealed

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s feature concert film, “Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus,” capturing his piano solo performance, is set for an exclusive premiere at 109 Cinemas Premium Shinjuku in Tokyo on April 26 (Friday), followed by a nationwide release starting May 10 (Friday). The poster visual and trailer have been revealed.

This film documents Sakamoto’s final solo concert, performed in September 2022 at NHK 509 Studio in Tokyo, marking his last performance before his passing. The setlist includes 20 curated tracks, ranging from globally acclaimed soundtracks like “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” and “The Last Emperor” to selections from his final album, “12,” and the first-ever piano solo rendition of “Tong Poo.”

After its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, followed by screenings at film festivals in Yamagata, Busan, New York, London, Tokyo, and others, the film garnered praise worldwide. Upon its release in South Korea in December 2023, it attracted an audience of 40,000 within 10 days. Amid global acclaim, the much-anticipated nationwide release in Japan has been confirmed.

The revealed poster visual features Sakamoto’s hands and the Yamaha grand piano he has long used in concerts. Additionally, the trailer showcases Sakamoto from various perspectives, accompanied by the theme song “The Sheltering Sky” from director Bernardo Bertolucci’s film “The Sheltering Sky.”

The 109 Cinemas Premium Shinjuku, where the advance screening will take place, is a movie theater equipped with the theater sound system “SAION -SR EDITION-” for which Sakamoto himself served as the sound director. Even after the nationwide release on May 10, the film is scheduled to be screened in this theater, known for its outstanding audio facilities.