Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023)

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023). 1h 43m

“If youu0026#39;ve not watched Opus yet or are about to, hit pause and watch Coda first if youu0026#39;ve not already. The documentary gives a really wonderful broad introduction to Sakamoto and his work, before you sit down to appreciate whatu0026#39;s happening here. This is a concert film. His final performance before his passing in 2023. Heu0026#39;d not toured or played for years on account of the cancer diagnosis. Opus is the very definition of a defiant last goodbye. Shot in Japan in beautifully crisp black and white. Just him and the piano, itu0026#39;s very intimate. No audience, the viewer gets their own personal concert with the very best seat in the house, often sat right next to Sakamoto. Itu0026#39;s beautifully shot, but you can close your eyes and still appreciate Opus. Itu0026#39;s the music after all where the magic lies. Watching him play though is a treat. The way he moves, the hand motions as he orchestrates the pianos sustain at the end of a song. Repositioning his glasses or retuning the piano, adding a metallic reverb to the strings. The poignant moments when he takes a break, inaudibly talking to someone off camera as he catches his breath from a cough. Capturing work like this is not easy, but here it seems effortless. Itu0026#39;s a beautiful piece of work, lovingly put together by his son Neo Sora. A fitting finale.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e8/10.”