Happyend is a 2024 Japanese-American drama film, written and directed by Neo Sora. It stars Kurihara Hayato, Hidaka Yukito, Ayumu Nakajima, Makiko Watanabe and Shirō Sano.
| Happyend | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Neo Sora |
| Written by | Neo Sora |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Bill Kirstein |
| Edited by | Albert Tholen |
| Music by | Lia Ouyang Rusli |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
|
| Language | Japanese |
It had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2024, in the Orizzonti section, and is scheduled to be released in Japan on October 4, 2024, by Bitters End.
Premise
editSet in near-future Tokyo, two best friends are about to graduate high school, while threats of an earthquake looms. One night, they pull a prank on their principal, leading to a surveillance system being installed. They respond in contrasting ways.[2]
Cast
edit- Hayato Kurihara as Yuta
- Yukito Hidaka as Kou
- Yuta Hayashi as Ata-chan
- Shina Peng as Ming
- Arazi as Tomu
- Kilala Inori as Fumi
- Pushim as Fukuko
- Ayumu Nakajima as Okada
- Makiko Watanabe as Yuko
- Shirō Sano as Principal Nagai
- Masaru Yahagi as Taira
Production
editIn August 2020, it was announced Neo Sora would direct the film then titled Earthquake from a screenplay he wrote.[3] The film was selected for the 2022 Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing labs.[4]
Release
editIt had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2024, in the Orizzonti section.[5] Prior to, Metrograph Pictures acquired US distribution rights to the film.[6] It will also screen at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2024.[7][8] and the 2024 New York Film Festival.[9][10] It is scheduled to be released in Japan on October 4, 2024, by Bitters End.[11]
It was also invited at the 29th Busan International Film Festival in 'Special program in focus' Teenage Minds, Teenage Movies section and it will be screened in October 2024.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Happyend". 81st Venice International Film Festival. 11 July 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (July 23, 2024). "Magnify Boards Neo Sora's Venice-Bound Japanese Dystopian Film 'Happyend' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Lang, Jamie (August 5, 2020). "Locarno Competition Filmmaker Neo Sora Prepares Debut Feature 'Earthquake' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Sundance Institute Announces 2022 Fellows for Directors, Screenwriters and Native Labs". Sundance Institute. May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 23, 2024). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: 'Joker: Folie à Deux', Almodovar, Guadagnino, Kurzel, Larrain & More In Competition – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (September 3, 2024). "Metrograph Pictures Buys Venice Festival Highlight 'Happyend' for North America Ahead of Toronto Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (August 6, 2024). "'Presence,' Cannes Favorites 'Seed of the Sacred Fig' and 'To a Land Unknown' Join TIFF Centrepiece Lineup". IndieWire. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Happyend". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Happyend". New York Film Festival. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "62nd New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". New York Film Festival. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Happyend". Bitters End. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "The 29th BIFF announces Special Program in Focus 'Teen Spirit, Teen Movie'". Busan International Film Festival. August 19, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.