Intriguing First Teaser for ‘Happyend’ – Japanese Surveillance Drama

Intriguing First Teaser for ‘Happyend’ – Japanese Surveillance Drama

by Alex Billington
August 29, 2024
Source: YouTube

“If we’re going to die, let’s have fun.” NYFF has revealed the first look teaser for a Japanese film arriving soon called Happyend, the first feature film directed by filmmaker Neo Sora, best known for his many Ryuichi Sakamoto docs. Happyend is premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival this weekend, before it goes on to play at both TIFF and NYFF later this fall, with an October release in Japan. Set in near-future Tokyo, the threat of a catastrophic earthquake looms. Two friends prank their principal before graduation, leading to school surveillance installation, which eventually leads to a rift between the high schooler boys. Happyend “amplifies the sociopolitical dynamics already present in Japan today.” It’s another fascinating surveillance thriller, with commentary on contemporary society, much like the other one Stranger Eyes also premiering in Venice. With Hayato Kurihara, Yukito Hidaka, Yuta Hayashi, Shina Peng, ARAZI, Kilala Inori, PUSHIM, and Makiko Watanabe. The story is about two friends dealing with their new surveillance world that’s taking over their entire lives. Another film must watch new film at the fall festivals.

Here’s the first look teaser trailer for Neo Sora’s film Happyend, direct from NYFF’s YouTube:

“At its simplest level, Happyend is about the natural drift between friends, but it also explores how larger forces can unconsciously shape our lives and relationships. Raised in an atmosphere of anxiety, the teenagers at the heart of Happyend each seek ways to process their collective apprehension for the future. It is my hope that by peering into the speculative future seeing our unease reflected there, we might better come to terms with the fears we feel today.” –Director Neo Sora

Via Venice: “Best friends Yuta and Kou are on the brink of graduating from high school in a near-future Tokyo where the threat of a catastrophic earthquake casts a shadow over daily life. One night, they play a prank on their principal with unexpected consequences, leading to the installation of a surveillance system in the school. As the oppressive security measures take hold and the national political situation darkens, Kou grows increasingly frustrated with the world, while Yuta remains seemingly unaware. Kou finds an empathetic ear in a passionate student activist, and his political awareness begins to blossom. Believing that Yuta would never understand his newfound interests, Kou starts to distance himself from his friend. For the first time in their lifelong friendship, the two are compelled to confront differences that they had never expressed before.” Happyend is written and directed by Japanese-American artist / filmmaker Neo Sora, director of the docs Ainu Neno an Ainu and Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus, plus other Sakamoto short films & music videos, making his first narrative feature. It’s produced by Zakkubalan (Albert Tholen, Aiko Masubuchi), Cineric Creative (Eric Nyari), Cinema Inutile (Alex C. Lo), Giraffe Pictures (Anthony Chen). This is premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti section, and it will also play at TIFF and NYFF. Neo Sora’s Happyend will open in Japan starting in October this fall. No other releases are set yet.

Find more posts: Foreign Films, Indies, To Watch, Trailer, Venice 24