New York’s Japan Society to screen rare Ryuichi Sakamoto film retrospective
The two-day programme explores the late composer’s work for film, building towards the release of his newly translated autobiography
The Japan Society in New York will run a two-day film programme dedicated to the late composer, producer, and Yellow Magic Orchestra member Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The series, titled Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, takes place on September 11 and 12, leading up to the publication of the English translation of his autobiography, Music Sets You Free.
“Filled with candid photos, Music Sets You Free is the incredible chronicle of a life excitingly lived: an intimate, contemplative, and fascinating recounting of his life story as a musical journey, from his first childhood encounter with a piano to his rise as a global pop star and award-winning composer,” reads the book’s description.
The line-up opens with the U.S. premiere of a 4K restoration of Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise, the 1987 debut feature from animation studio Gainax, later known for creating Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Read this next: Ryuichi Sakamoto gets 2-hour online radio tribute show for his 71st birthday
The program continues with a double bill pairing Nam June Paik's documentary on the New York art and Fluxus scene, with Adelic Penguins; a six-part video art piece built on chroma-key composites and footage of Sakamoto dancing. Tokyo Decadence, Ryu Murakami's 1992 film following a prostitute through Tokyo's underworld, screens next.
Closing out the series is Donald Cammell's Wild Side, an erotic thriller starring Christopher Walken and Joan Chen, shown in its director's cut on one of only two surviving 35mm prints, reassembled after Cammell's death.
Read this next: The amazing history of Ryuichi Sakamoto: 9 landmark moments that colour the genre-defying artist
Sakamoto's four-decade run as a film composer began with Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence in 1983, which earned him the 1984 BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.
He went on to score and act in The Last Emperor, and compose for The Sheltering Sky, Babel, and The Revenant.
More information on Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto here.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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