| Director: | Neo Sora |
|---|---|
| Production: | Zakkubalan (Albert Tholen, Aiko Masubuchi), Cineric Creative (Eric Nyari), Cinema Inutile (Alex C. Lo), Giraffe Pictures (Anthony Chen) |
| Running Time: | 113’ |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Country: | Japan, USA |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Main Cast: | Hayato Kurihara, Yukito Hidaka, Yuta Hayashi, Shina Peng, ARAZI, Kilala Inori, PUSHIM, Ayumu Nakajima, Makiko Watanabe |
| Screenplay: | Neo Sora |
| Cinematographer: | Bill Kirstein |
| Editor: | Albert Tholen |
| Production Designer: | Norifumi Ataka |
| Costume Designer: | Juni Kurita |
| Music: | Lia Ouyang Rusli |
| Sound: | Miki Nomura |
Cinema
Happyend
Orizzonti
synopsis
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.
director's statement
Set in a near-future Tokyo, Happyend amplifies the sociopolitical dynamics already present in Japan today. Despite the pressures of a right-wing government and nationalistic xenophobia, increasing numbers of immigrants have settled in the country, allowing children of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds to grow up together. It is within this environment that the teenage protagonists of Happyend come of age. Yuta and Kou embody distinct yet familiar attitudes in response to political repression—one fights for radical change, while the other clings to comfort as long as it lasts. This difference creates friction between the best friends, which they struggle to express. However, when I was growing up, social and political issues were not at the forefront of my mind. What mattered most was having fun with my friends, simply being a silly teenager. I wanted to capture that spirit as well. 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.
PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
PRODUCTION 1: Albert Tholen and Aiko Masubuchi
630 9th ave suite 508
10036, New York, United States of America
Tel. 1 7032176348
albert.tholen@gmail.com
PRODUCTION 2: Cinetic Creative - Eric Nyari
630 9th Ave #508
10036, New York, United States of America
+1.917.374.4991
eric.nyari@gmail.com
PRODUCTION 3: Cinema Inutile - Alex C. Lo
325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor
10013, New York, United States of America
Tel. 1 646-618-5789
clo@cinema-inutile.com
PRODUCTION 4: Giraffe Pictures - Anthony Chen
462 Crawford Lane, #02-33
190462, Singapore, Singapore
Tel. +65 9452 5885
anthony@giraffepictures.asia
WORLD SALES: Lorna Lee Torres and Austin Kennedy – MAGNIFY
47 W 27th street
10001, New York, United States of America
Tel. 1 9175148407
ltorres@magpictures.com
akennedy@magpictures.com
PRESS OFFICE: Julie Chappell – Cinetic
26 Broadway
10004, New York, United States of America
Tel. 1 571-643-9802
julie@cineticmedia.com
INTERNATIONAL PRESS OFFICE: Claudia Tomassini + Associates
press@claudiatomassini.com
