Ryuichi Sakamoto

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

Ryuichi Sakamoto shocked the world with his techno music as a member of YMO and continued to capture the hearts of many with his unique music. In his diary in his final years, he wrote about the anguish of his life fighting the disease, thinking, "It's a death sentence" and "Should I choose euthanasia?" and "Music may be the only way to stay sane," and "Music to leave behind, music to leave behind." His true feelings were engraved, including words that made him think deeply—his interaction with unknown members of YMO and the unreleased song that ended up touching his heart.

Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto weaves man-made and natural sounds together in his works. His anti-nuclear activism grew after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and his career only paused after a 2014 cancer diagnosis.

"Ars longa, vita brevis" – art is long, life is short. This is one of Japanese music icon Ryuichi Sakamoto's favorite quotes, and the message that he leaves for viewers at the end of his final concert film, shot before he succumbed to cancer in March 2023. Consisting of only Sakamoto and his piano, Opus features the final live performances of 20 songs that Sakamoto meticulously curated to encapsulate his distinguished 40-year career.

The opening ceremony of the Barcelona Summer Olympics took place on July 25, 1992, at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium before an audience of over 65,000. This historic event was largely orchestrated by the renowned Catalan troupe La Fura dels Baus, which staged spectacular scenes depicting the history of the Mediterranean and the Labours of Hercules. Music played a central role in the evening, featuring great operatic voices; the audience was captivated by performances from Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Alfredo Kraus, and Teresa Berganza. Although he had passed away the previous year, Freddie Mercury was also present—both on screen and in voice—through the broadcast of their iconic duet "Barcelona," which became the definitive anthem of the Games. Additionally, British pop star Sarah Brightman performed the official anthem, "Amigos Para Siempre," alongside José Carreras.

Ryuichi Sakamoto was an extraordinary musician who passed away in March 2023. He meticulously chronicled his final days in his personal diary. By tracing the last three and a half years through his journal, one can see how he confronted the end of his life and the legacy he sought to leave behind.

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The quixotic journey of Nam June Paik, one of the most famous Asian artists of the 20th century, who revolutionized the use of technology as an artistic canvas and prophesied both the fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding that would arise from the interconnected metaverse of today's world.

Originally commissioned by the Sony Corporation of Japan and performed live on the JumboTRON, a fourteen-story TV set at the Expo in Tsukuba, Japan, Adelic Penguins is a collaboration between Fitzgerald, artist Paul Garrin, and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (who also appears as a performer). Structured in six segments, this technical tour-de-force is a pyrotechnic fusion of sound and image, in which the dynamic visual imagery fully complements and heightens Sakamoto's staccato, percussive score. Fitzgerald and Garrin merge terrestrial and interplanetary worlds, in which Sakamoto's figure becomes an integral part of the landscape. Set aloft in the surreal world of the artists' invention, Sakamoto dances, floats and walks through a hyperkinetic universe.

Documentary about the eclectic Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto during the recording sessions for his 1984 album "Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia".

A Music Special episode broadcasted by NHK. This documentary looks back at the great achievements and innovative works of Ryuichi Sakamoto's carreer, with a variety of rare footage from the NHK archives and other sources. The programme is narrated by Koji Yakusho, a long-time friend of Sakamoto.

Performed live on September 15th, 1985 on the SONY JumboTRON at Tsukuba Expo, Tukuba, Japan

A corporate raider and his henchman use a chanteuse to lure a scientific genius away from his employer and family.

SUGA of the world-renowned group, BTS, works on a new album. He embarks on a journey to find his story to tell through music, while interacting with artists from various cities around the world.

A documentary about Brian de Palma's "Femme Fatale."

Japanese composer and living legend Ryuchi Sakamoto shared a live home session titled “Impovistation for Sonic Cure”. This performance was broadcast via the program “Sonic Cure” produced by UCCA + Kuaishou to encourage isolated people in China on February 29th. Sakamoto wanted to share it with the people who are in isolation. It was filmed and edited by Zakkubalan.

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Features live recordings from the 1986 nationwide tour that accompanied the release of the album Miraiha Yaro. It is particularly noteworthy that the tour lineup featured a group of seasoned musicians, primarily based in New York, showcasing their talents. Incidentally, this was Sakamoto’s first solo tour, and it visited 24 venues across the country. Featuring a wide-ranging selection of tracks—including songs from Miraiha Yaro, classic hits from his YMO days, the theme from Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and a single co-written with Thomas Dolby—this is a pop album well worth listening to.

Starring Yellow Magic Orchestra and David Brooks Palmer, YMO Propaganda is 1984 Musical film directed by Shin Saito. Originally premiered theatrically throughout Japan in 1984 and is considered by some to be the best visual work from 'Y.M.O.'

Yellow Magic Orchestra playing songs from the album Service in the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan in the 22 Dec. 1983

A collection of Madonna's favorite videos from 1993-1999. Contains the 14 videos: Bad Girl, Fever, Rain, Secret, Take A Bow, Bedtime Story, Human Nature, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Frozen, Ray Of Light, Drowned World, The Power of Goodbye, Nothing Really Matters, and Beautiful Stranger.

Yellow Magic Orchestra concert recorded in late December 1981 at the Shinjuku Koma Theater.

Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, accompanied by a live visual score, perform their second collaborative work “Insen”. Recorded at Casa da Música, Porto, Portugal, on June 11th, 2006.

A live performance film capturing an intimate concert by composer, pianist and music producer Ryuichi Sakamoto in New York City. The performance marked the first public unveiling of Sakamoto’s new opus, async, hailed as one of the best albums of 2017 by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.

A video documenting the making of David Sylvian's 1984 Lp "Brilliant Trees" within Berlin. Unknown to the world until David's surprise releasing of it on VIMEO July 15, 2021.

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The documentary follows the genesis of Marisa Monte's album Mais in New York City and the subsequent tour that supported the album from 1991 to 1992.

Recorded at New York City's legendary Hurrah's nightclub and Los Angles' Greek Theater in 1979, YMO brings the electronic goodness to the people of the USA. Tracks include: Rydeen, Technopolis, Day Tripper and more!

100 minutes of healing music from Ryuichi Sakamoto and shamisen prodigy Hidejiro Honjoh.

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Music live performance of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto at the Glass House.

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A domestic live tour in 1981 when YMO released two masterpiece albums, "BGM" and "Technodelic". A live concert filmed at the Shinjuku Koma Theater, "WINTER LIVE 1981" focuses on songs from "BGM" and "Technodelic" and symbolizing the mid-term YMO catalogue along with artistic performing art. The audio is also remastered, giving the viewer a more realistic feel.

Analog video art by Paul Garrin with Ryuichi Sakamoto

Everyone in Japan knows his work, yet few recognize his face. Chris Mosdell, British expatriate, pop lyricist, poet and visual artist, during his 30-year residence in Tokyo has written chart-topping hits with some of Japan's most influential musicians and composers, penned lyrics to anime film scores, and run with the multimedia underground of that city's avant-garde. Ink Music: In The Land Of The Hundred-Tongued Lyricist is a 90-minute documentary film detailing those artistic relationships in the expansive career of artistic word-smith, Chris Mosdell. Shot in HD on-location in Tokyo and Fukui, Japan, and New York City, USA, the film highlights Mosdell's rise from obscure expatriate bohemian poet to renowned lyricist for Japan's biggest band ever, Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). The story is told through exclusive interviews. Tokyo itself also figures into the narrative as a major character, featuring copious clips of original footage from inside the city that inspires Mosdell's work.

On December 11, 2022, Ryuichi Sakamoto's solo piano performance will be streamed in the form of a concert. However, what we will experience that day is carefully recorded footage of Sakamoto performing a few pieces of music each day over the course of a week, that was then thoughtfully edited together. This is last performance.

Documentary about the making of Nagisa Oshima's 1983 film MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE.

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Yellow Magic Orchestra perform at Nippon Budokan on December 27, Tokyo 1980

A live performed on August 5, 2011 at NHK 101 Studio in Shibuya, Tokyo. Yellow Magic Orchestra, who has almost never done a studio live, played "RYDEEN", "FIRECRACKER", "COSMIC SURFIN", and others, in front of about 1,000 spectators selected by lottery. Keigo Oyamada, Tomohiko Gondo, and Christian Fennesz participated as support members.

A compilation of avant-garde artwork and talent of the mid to late 20th century hosted by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

A documentary about Haruomi Hosono, a musician respected around the world and the music composer of Cannes Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters. The footage traces his encounter with music in early childhood to his days in bands Happy End and YMO to his solo activities. It also includes in-depth coverage from recent years of his first overseas performances in London, New York and Los Angeles. In London, he was joined by Yukihiro Takahashi, and when Ryuichi Sakamoto made a surprise appearance onstage, the YMO members were reunited for the first time in five years, a must-see spectacle captured on film. Written by Nikkatsu

This ambitious live satellite link-up of Japan, Korea and the United States features interviews with Keith Haring and architect Arata Isozaki, and performances and works by Philip Glass and the Kodo Drummers, Charlotte Moorman, Nam June Paik, and Lou Reed. In an extraordinary section, a performance in Japan of classical Western music is accompanied by a group of Kabuki dancers.

This documentary follows the path of musician Kazuhiko Kato, who has created many masterpieces that remain in the history of Japanese pop music. Kazuhiko Kato, affectionately known as "Tonovan," influenced many people with his musicality that was ahead of its time, such as "The Folk Crusaders" and "Sadistic Mika Band." The documentary introduces the behind-the-scenes story of the formation of The Folk Crusaders, who created Japan's first million-selling hit, rare footage of the Sadistic Mika Band's overseas performances and recording scenes as they made their way around the world, and hidden anecdotes about the "Europe Trilogy," which is said to be a monumental work of Japanese pop music. In addition, a new recording of the timeless classic "Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mouichido" is made, and the song's evolution by musicians of various genres is shown. The film was planned, directed, and produced by Yumi Aihara, who also worked on "SUKITA: A Moment Carved by Artists."

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Ryuichi Sakamoto sadly passed away at the age of 71 on March 28, 2023. His music never stops and continues to leave a lasting impression on people living in the present. Playing the Orchestra 2013" was the first time in 16 years that Ryuichi Sakamoto performed with a full orchestra in Japan and created a sensation. This film is an updated version of the 2014 Tokyo performance, which he conducted himself. In this film, Sakamoto conducts all the pieces while playing the piano, The film features Sakamoto playing the piano and conducting all the pieces, and a variety of music from YMO's masterpieces such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and "The Last Emperor" to his own film music, all performed by the magnificent Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

A concert, called Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio World Tour, was organized in 1996. The setlist of this concert is different than the original album. This concert was played at 6 venues in Japan, and the Bunkamura Orchard Hall concert was live streamed on August 28, 1996, on the Internet, and was one of the first concerts to be streamed. This concert was released on both DVD and Laserdisc.

Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, backed by Ensemble Modern and a live "visual score", perform their fourth collaborative work "utp_" at the National Theatre in Mannheim, Germany on November 16, 2007.

Yellow Magic Orchestra perform live at Hurrah in New York on November 1, 1979

A compilation of 1980s television appearances by Yellow Magic Orchestra.