Happyend

In Neo Sora's debut feature, two teenagers in futuristic Tokyo face growing oppression at school, leading them to challenge a surveillance society.

Director:
Neo Sora

Genre:
Drama, Science Fiction

Year:
2024

Duration:
113 minutes

Rating:
18+

Country:
Japan, United States

Language:
Japanese

Subtitling:
English, Arabic

Screenplay: Neo Sora

Cast: Hayato Kurihara, Yukito Hidaka, Yuta Hayashi, Shina Peng

Cinematography: Bill Kirstein

Editing: Albert Tholen

Production: Zakkubalan, Cineric Creative, Cinema Inutile, Giraffe Pictures, Spark Features, Sons of Rigor

Awards: Young Cinema Award -- Asia Pacific Screen Awards -- Australia -- 2024; Golden Hanoman Award -- Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival -- Yogyakarta, Indonesia -- 2024; Roberto Rossellini Jury Award -- Pingyao International Film Festival -- China -- 2024

Début Status: Jordanian Première

Synopsis

Teen films in Japan reveal the political, social, and cultural sides of society. Director Neo Sora's Happy End focuses on the "Zainichi" experience and challenges they face. Set in a futuristic Tokyo threatened by earthquakes, citizens question the government's crisis response. Two students plan a prank against their principal, resulting in a strict security system. Amid growing repression and political tension, their political awareness deepens. Despite serious themes, the film keeps the lightness and humor typical of youth stories, blending social critique with the vibrant energy of adolescence.

Director’s biography

Neo Sora is a Japanese-American filmmaker and artist based in New York City. He explores themes of cultural identity, technology, and human connection in his work. After studying at Wesleyan University, he co-founded Zakkubalan, a production company, and collaborated on projects that span film, art and music. His short film The Chicken premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and received critical acclaim. In 2024, he released his first feature film, Happyend, which garnered multiple international awards. Sora's unique visual style and narrative approach continue to make him a rising talent in contemporary cinema.