Surveillance and Disaster Test Friendships in Neo Sora’s Venice Film

The trailer for Neo Sora’s debut fiction feature “Happyend” has been unveiled, ahead of its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti competition. Magnify, formerly known as Magnolia Pictures International, is handling global sales for the Japanese-language title, excluding Japan and Singapore. Japanese distributor Bitters End, which previously represented “Parasite” and “Drive My Car,” will release the film in Japan on October 4.

“Happyend” follows best friends Yuta and Kou, who are about to graduate high school in a near-future Tokyo where the threat of a catastrophic earthquake hovers over daily life. One night, they pull a prank on their principal, which leads to the installation of a surveillance system in their school. Between the oppressive security system and a deteriorating national political situation, Kou becomes increasingly frustrated while Yuta seems oblivious, testing the resilience of their friendship.

The trailer begins with an earthquake warning resonating through Tokyo’s streets, homes, and schools. Yuta and Kou are seen spending time together at school and afterward, before the narrative takes a darker turn amidst a tense national political scene. “That tyrant is using the emergency to try and run a dictatorship,” one schoolmate comments.

The film stars Hayato Kurihara, Yukito Hidaka, Yuta Hayashi, and Shina Peng. Raised in New York and Tokyo, Sora has directed the feature-length concert film “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023),” showcasing his legendary composer father’s farewell performance. Sora has also written and directed short films “The Chicken” and “Sugar Glass Bottle.”

“Happyend” is produced by Albert Tholen and Masubuchi Aiko from Zakkubalan, Eric Nyari from Cineric Creative, Alex C. Lo from Cinema Inutile, and Anthony Chen from Giraffe Pictures. Hayashi Kaoru, Douglas Choi, Robina Riccitiello, and Ema Ryan Yamazaki are credited as executive producers.

Source: Deadline