'Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus' Is a Stunning Send-Off For a Beloved Virtuoso
It was no surprise that Ryuichi Sakamoto had been sick for some time. The legendary composer and pianist had a semi-public battle with throat cancer in 2014, temporarily hitting pause on work engagements and creative output. The documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda, directed by Stephen Nomura Schible, elegantly captures Sakamoto's gentle return to music in 2017 after living in remission from cancer. For fans, the film offered a glimmer of hope that our maestro would live cancer-free and continue to bless us with beautiful music. But the happy ending we hoped for wasn't meant to be. The cancer came back in 2021, and Ryuichi Sakamoto died in March 2023. His final performance lives forever in Ryuichi Sakamoto | OPUS, a feature-length concerto directed by his son, Neo Sora.
It's hard to find the words to convey just how powerful OPUS is. Watching Sakamoto put what energy he had left into this performance is both heartbreaking and devastatingly beautiful. Shot in black and white with practically no spoken words, Neo Sora puts the audience front and center to be immediately swept up in the protruding elegance of the Yamaha grand's ivory keys. Sora doesn't shy away from close-ups, which is a welcomed sight. Sakamoto's signature eyeglasses are displayed in such stunning detail, as well as his soft, nimble hands and sturdily-constructed jacket.
His career-spanning final performance consists of twenty compositions, including "Lack of Love," "The Last Emperor" "The Wuthering Heights," "Aqua," and "Opus," and ends with Sakamoto's most recognizable song, "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." Tears were flowing throughout the film but this finale gutted me. I couldn't help but feel a little selfish watching him play. Here is a 71-year-old man, pushing through visible discomfort to give us, his fans, a final gift. For Sakamoto, the reason he is making this film is clear: it's because he is dying. But instead of surrendering to the illness in self-pity, Sakamoto gracefully and selflessly offers us a lyrical elegy that will withstand time. His legacy is preserved in his music and fortunately, we can revisit this moment in time when Ryuichi Sakamoto graced the world with his stunning compositions through OPUS.
The film ends with Sakamoto's favorite quote, projected on the big screen as a reminder to embrace the world as he did. It simply states, "Ars longa, vita brevis," which translates to "Art is long, life is short."
This review originally ran on November 15, 2023 as part of our AFI FEST 2023 coverage.
Ryuichi Sakamoto | OPUS is now playing in New York at Lincoln Center, with a national rollout to follow.
'When Unfettered' Challenges the Divisive Perception of AI
The topic of AI inclusion in our future-facing world can be a very divisive one. Some trust it, and others don't. Filmmaker Derek Franzese takes the side of the optimist in his short film When Unfettered, which tells the story of how AI can be of help and is not a hindrance, especially when it comes to assisting humans in times of need. Running 11 minutes long, When Unfettered has been selected to screen at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival.
An AI caregiver called Ash (Ashley Whelan) spends her last day tending to an elderly man before he peacefully passes away. As his loved ones grieve the loss of their family member, they gracefully relieve Ash of her duties (which included typical hospice nurse to-dos). With no one to look after anymore, Ash roams the neighborhood until she stops at a park. Here, she interacts with a young special needs boy and his mom. Spending a few precious moments in the park getting to know each other, the boy and Ash ultimately give each other the biggest gift. Together, they celebrate their differences and embrace the parts that make them special.
When Unfettered has the look of a glossy commercial and captures the beauty of simplicity. Franzese crafts a vibrant world, captured by cinematographer Joe Simon, who also acts as executive producer. It's a small crew and simple story but what the filmmakers were able to achieve with what was no doubt a limited budget is commendable. Also, the decision to work with both animals and children deserves even more recognition, as we all know that isn't easy!
In the world of When Unfettered, admittedly a mouthful of a title, AI is on a mission to help the greater good. If the future unfolds the way the film intends it to, we can all rest assured that AI is nothing to fear.
SXSW: 'How To Build a Truth Engine' Examines the Vulnerability of Misinformation
Filmmaker Friedrich Moser's captivating documentary How To Build a Truth Engine boldly examines the vulnerability of how we receive and distribute information, putting into question the authenticity and intention behind "non-biased" news. Society can thrive when it uses technology for good, connecting us to cultures, ideas, and world views that we wouldn't have been privy to pre-internet. However, as Spider-Man would say, "With great power comes great responsibility," and Moser's film points out the damning repercussions of misinformation when falling into the hands of the wrong people. Executive Produced by George Clooney, How To Build a Truth Engine is a film that screams with urgency.
Landing somewhere between Herzog and Poitras in its execution, Moser crafts a visually rich documentary that, at times, feels more like a Black Mirror episode than our current reality. Interviews with key investigators from various fields of study–including technology, journalism, folklore, and neuroscience–shed light on how each subsection of society deals with the threat of disinformation. Much to my horror, but not to my surprise, the fallout teeters on the edge of catastrophe.
In the political system, lying and manipulation have become acceptable methods for pundits to push their agenda. Political figures have started turning into their own media sources, relying on their PR teams over established news outlets to deliver information. This prospect is worrisome for many reasons, as the intellectuals in the film point out, "If we lose the truth, the non-partisan information that keeps society functioning, we lose our civilization." Perhaps the most obvious example of this action was the January 6th takeover of the Capitol by right-wing conspiracy theorists. False information, fueled directly by the deliberate, ill-intended words of Donald Trump, encouraged large groups to wreak havoc on our political infrastructure as well as our code of ethics. The repercussions were not only a global embarrassment; they, unfortunately, also turned deadly.
How can people believe so many different versions of our shared reality? This is the thesis statement the film begs us to ponder. With the rise and threat of cyber attacks, echo chambers, and "fake news", How To Build a Truth Engine does offer a beacon of hope. A respite from the buildup of dread, the film documents the journalists, scientists, engineers, and other truth-seekers as they actively develop groundbreaking technology that helps to understand the human psyche. The thought is that by cracking the question of "why" we latch on and spread misinformation, we can use that insight to restore truth back to the valued forefront of a functioning society.
There is a line that one of the interviewees says that made a striking impact on me: "The best way to win a battle is not to fight it but rather create confusion in the camp of the enemy." Today, it feels like we are falling prey to this confusion, and the only way we as a society are going to overcome this looming threat is by taking a big step back and objectively reassessing how we receive and digest information. Cyber warfare has the potential to turn our society back into the Stone Age, and if that were to happen, we would never be able to recover.
Running just over two hours long, How To Build a Truth Engine is big in scope, production, and thought. Its importance can't be understated, making this a vital film to see as we consider and care for our collective future.
'How To Build a Truth Engine' is currently seeking distribution.
SXSW: 'The School of Canine Massage': A Dogumentary On Wellness
For too long, man's best friend has been left out of the wellness conversation but the Ojai School of Canine Massage is hoping to change that. In director Emma D. Miller's short "dogumentary" The School of Canine Massage, dog owners learn firsthand how valuable and beneficial it is to indulge their pets in a little doggy TLC, for both their health and relationship.
Running 11 minutes long, The School of Canine Massage is a tightly bundled piece of filmmaking. Taking place in one location, Ojai Valley Women's Club, the film opens with a canine masseuse demonstrating various movements and massage techniques on a black pug who seems to turn into putty the longer the back rub goes on. Like their human counterparts, the masseuse points out that dogs also enjoy cupping, kneading, gentle back-slapping, and prodding. Not only does this attention stimulate muscles and relieve tension and tightness, but it also strengthens the bond between owner and pet.
Sure, this borderlines SNL skit territory, but there's no denying that the massages are truly making a difference in these dogs' lives. Close-ups of satisfied pups getting head scratches would be laughable if it wasn't so cute. Pugs, poodles, corgis, and more sit contentedly in the laps of their attentive owners and quickly fall into a deep meditative state, much to the amusement and relief of their pet parents. Animal massage therapy and acupressure really work, and Emma D. Miller's exploratory documentary makes a strong case for shamelessly pampering your pet. My only critique is that I wish the film was longer, I could watch dogs getting massages for days.
SXSW: 'Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story' Shows Friendship Comes in All Shapes, Sizes, and Species
It's a tale as old as time and yet it never fails to strike an emotional chord. National Geographic Documentary Films turns its lens on a special relationship between man and mammal in Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story. Premiering in the Documentary Spotlight section of the SXSW Film Festival, this heartwarming doc tells the story of a married and childless man, Billy, and the unlikely paternal bond he develops with a motherless young otter, Molly. Be prepared to be awestruck by the beauty of the remote islands of Scotland, where our protagonists call home, as well as astonished by the wonder of the natural world.
Much like the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story will leave a lasting impression that I'm convinced has the power to restore faith in humanity. Billy and his wife Susan live a simple life alone by the sea with their sheepdog, Jade. One day, while out on the dock near his house, Billy notices a young, malnourished otter who struggles to crack open a crab. Worried for her well-being and ability to survive on her own while so young, he takes it upon himself to feed the pup and provide her some sense of security. What unfolds in the days, weeks, and months thereafter is a love story that transcends species. With compassion and curiosity, Billy and Molly develop an unlikely relationship that ebbs and flows with joy and heartbreak and ultimately, saves them both.
As to be expected with a National Geographic-distributed film, the visuals are mesmerizing. The arctic waters crashing against the luscious green hills are truly a sight to behold. Drawing comparisons to the rolling landscape depicted in the 2022 stunner The Banshees of Inisherin, the Scottish island that Billy calls home seems to be heaven on earth. Further aiding in the location's angelic quality is the score from Scottish composer Erland Cooper. A beautiful, emotionally persuasive violin score sets the tone of the film and encapsulates the whimsicalness and delicate nature of Billy and Molly's story.
Connecting with nature and those who live in it is the central encouragement at the heart of Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story. In learning to trust the natural order of things, Billy lets go of the false sense of control he had in his own life. Embracing the role of "surrogate father" for a young otter isn't what Billy imagined when he initially encountered Molly on the dock that day. Little did he know that a year later, he would be building an otter-sized replica house for Molly–whom he has started calling his "wee girl"–fitted with wifi and Polaroid pictures of Billy, his wife, and their dog, hanging on the wallpapered walls.
Directed by Charlie Hamilton James, Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story is a sincere, uplifting film that offers strong takeaways for both kids and adults alike. Through its strong storytelling arcs and memorable score, Billy and Molly teach us that friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and species.
'Books & Drinks': A Charming Rom-Com Set in Caribbean Paradise
For those who want a blissful, tropically-set romantic comedy that feels like a warm hug mixed with a whiff of sunscreen, look no further than Books & Drinks. Making its World Premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival, Books & Drinks stars Jackson Rathbone, who you may remember as Jasper from the Twilight series, playing a charismatic bookstore owner who unexpectedly finds himself receiving a windfall of funds leading to an introspective journey toward self-realization, confidence, and joy. Books & Drinks, directed by Geoffrey Cowper, is a fun and lighthearted affair that brings out the best in its cast, and the most of its on-set location.
The next best thing to winning the lottery would be inheriting a mansion in the Caribbean. It's a dream scenario that knocks thirty-something David (Rathbone) off of his feet when he is given this unexpected news by his mother. In a somewhat hilariously dark manner, David's mom drops the bombshell that his father, who she always claimed died when David was a baby but, in reality, had just recently passed away, left David a house worth $2 million in the Dominican Republic. David has no plans to uproot his life in Brooklyn and move to the Caribbean but sees that house as a means to revive his flailing Brooklyn-based independent bookstore.
David decides, with support from his fiance Maria (Nashla Bogaert), that he will travel to the DR and sell his father's house, but upon his arrival, it becomes evident that David's dad wasn't just the mansion owner, but also a big deal in this small community. The house staff, who were close to his father, pay their condolences while also trying to seduce David so that he'll become attached and not sell the house. As it turns out, the only thing that seduces David is the realtor Rachel (Clara Lago), a beautiful, bubbly brunette who very clearly sparks David's interest.
Over a couple of weeks, David and Rachel grow close, bonding over their drive and passion for life. She encourages him not to give up on his bookstore dreams and helps him come up with clever ways to attract customers. She has the idea–which personally, sounds pretty amazing– to create signature cocktails inspired by authors like a Bloody Mary for Stephen King or an absinthe-based drink for Oscar Wilde. It's at this moment that David falls for Rachel and her generous, creative spirit. You can make an educated guess about halfway through the film as to where the story is headed, and while a few curveballs are sprinkled in, there is a predictable sweetness that feels reminiscent of comforting old-school rom-coms.
The central message in Books & Drinks is to follow one's intuition to not give up on your dreams. It's a fun way to spend 94 minutes. Plus...the mansion is total eye candy, which may or may not have enticed me to look up similar properties on Zillow, just for fun.
'Ennio' is a Masterpiece Fit for a Maestro
It's been said that, at the sound of the first note, you will be able to identify an Ennio Morricone score. The duality of the music's boldness and beauty is unmistakable. We also know what will follow is a rich orchestral melody that weaves in and out of emotional landscapes. The prolific composer's influence on music scores in cinema is explored in great detail through Ennio, directed by his longtime collaborator, Cinema Paradiso filmmaker, Giuseppe Tornatore. Paying tribute to one of the industry's most legendary artists, Ennio explores the maestro’s career across his iconic film scores, including The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Days of Heaven, A Fistful of Dollars, and his Academy Award-winning work on The Hateful Eight, among hundreds more.
I like to listen to music when I write, and sitting down to begin this review was no different. As I opened Spotify and searched for his name, I was shocked but not surprised to see that the Ennio Morricone profile receives an average of 3.3 million listeners a month. His most recognizable song, "The Ecstasy of Gold" from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly shows that it has been streamed nearly 69 million times and counting. These numbers, while staggering, are only a snapshot of the storied career of the Italian maestro.
The documentary runs just over two hours and thirty minutes, and every frame is packed with words of admiration from Ennio's peers, including autobiographical anecdotes from Ennio himself. Fans of his music-making process will revel in the abundance of fascinating interviews with various musicians and directors who have either worked directly with him or were indelibly inspired by him. Bringing a personal component to the film, Ennio shares stories about his childhood and reminisces about wanting to be a doctor. It was his father who convinced him to study the trumpet instead. It's a scenario you don't hear too often, parents persuading their children's career path towards the arts over medicine. From there, we weave in and out of his repertoire, growing more awestruck with each passing film score.
The film itself is very traditional in its documentary format, fueled by sit-down interviews that bounce from subject to subject. The stories themselves are larger than the formulaic way in which they are told, which seems like a conscious choice by Giuseppe Tornatore to not let stylistic filmmaking choices get in the way of the heart and soul of the film. It's clear that this documentary has been in the works for a while; some interviews have a dated, public-access look to them that seems ripe for screening in a museum.
The descriptions given about Ennio Morricone range from "very serious" and "very absorbed" to "a genius" and "a marvel." Waxing poetic about their idol, some interviewees stated that "the God of music speaks through him as if he were possessed" and "His music is... eternal." Before his passing in 2020, Ennio finally won his long overdue Oscar for Quentin Tarantino's 2015 film, The Hateful Eight. At 87 years young in 2016, Ennio Morricone set a new record: the oldest recipient of an Academy Award, proving age is nothing but a number.
Ennio is now playing in Los Angeles at Laemmle Noho with a national expansion and home entertainment release to follow.
'Disconnect Me' Attempts a 30-Day Digital Detox
This is one detox that even Gwyneth Paltrow would have trouble completing. Director Alex Lykos makes a persuasive argument to cut ties with the invisible chains of your phone in his social issue documentary, Disconnect Me. Using himself as a guinea pig, Alex embarks on a 30-day experiment of being screen-free, although TV is allowed for sanity's sake. Considered by some a "necessary evil," our attachment to our iPhones has no doubt risen to unhealthy levels and Alex's attempt to break audiences of this technology's stronghold is an admirable one. However, I'll be the first to admit that as soon as the film ended, I opened up my phone to add this to my Letterboxd watchlist.
How else would a small, independent feature like Disconnect Me get any attention if the social channels that we access via phones and tablets were non-functional? Alex dually notes that while phones are more often than not a distraction in modern life, there is most definitely a time and a place for their existence. The film begins with a brief history of the iPhone and incorporates some staggering facts that had me on high alert. Disconnect Me states, through voiceover narration and simple graphics, that the average human touches their phone 2,600 times a day and averages over 6 hours of cumulative screen time. What's even more frightening, phones have reduced our attention span to 8 seconds, which is less than that of a goldfish.
Through Alex's 30-day experiment–which required his phone, laptop, and computer to be locked away in a safe, he felt the withdrawals of easy communication with his family more intensely than his desire to go on social media. He was stressed about missing important communications from his father or his wife and found that relying on an old-school rotary phone just wasn't cutting it.
Disconnect Me, which made its World Premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, has the very specific look of an MTV doc from the mid-2000s. It is not the most sophisticated in terms of style or production quality, but the story at the heart of the film is one worth celebrating. Interestingly, the film takes intentional pauses and asks audiences to scan a QR code answering various questions, like whether we believe smartphones should be banned in schools. It's a forward-thinking approach, albeit a little contradictory given the central message of the film.
It's no surprise to discover that there are negative physical and mental consequences of being preoccupied with a phone all day. The people Alex interviews confirm that their health and overall awareness dip when glued to their devices, and I'm sure in one way or another, every audience member can relate to this. Disconnect Me is a valiant exercise in exploring life outside of one's comfort zone, and it leaves a positive impact in its wake.