In March 2023 the legendary Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto lost his battle with cancer. During his last few years, he was unable to perform live concerts, and so he allowed his son, Neo Sora, to film one final performance.
Recorded over a week in late 2022 at NHK Studio in Tokyo, this breathtaking concert features only Sakamoto and his beloved piano. Ryuichi Sakamoto himself chose the 20 pieces he performs and also the order in which we hear them – he guides us on a memorable journey of his musical career, from his popstar Yellow Magic Orchestra period, to his magnificent Bertolucci film scores, to music from his meditative final album, 12, whilst also revealing his own emotions as he plays.
This intimate, immersive experience is made all the more poignant by both Sakamoto and the audience, knowing this is his final performance (2023, In Japanese with English subtitles, 103 mins)
This screening will be introduced by Stephen McCauley from BBC Radio Ulster.
