Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda

2017

102 mins

Directed by Stephen Nomura Schible
98%
85%
Documentary
Music

Documentary on genius Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose career encompasses iconic film scores and experimental electronic music, helping pioneer synth-pop,... More

Documentary on genius Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose career encompasses iconic film scores and experimental electronic music, helping pioneer synth-pop, techno and house.

"Sakamoto’s first film score was Nagisa Oshima’s Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983), for which he won a BAFTA Award. He won his second BAFTA 30 years later, with Alejandro Iñárritu’s The Revenant. In the intervening years, Sakamoto won an Oscar for The Last Emperor (1987) and a Golden Globe for The Sheltering Sky (1990) – both directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. His iconic soundtracks are only part of the story, for Sakamoto is also a synth-pop pioneer, electronic experimentalist, actor (opposite David Bowie in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence) and performer. In Stephen Nomura’s compelling documentary, Sakamoto’s gentle, inquisitive spirit shines through, whether listening to the sound of raindrops in bowls, or playing a baby grand that survived Japan’s 2011 tsunami." (Sydney International Film Festival)

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Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda | Ratings & Reviews

98_%46 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
85_%167 reviews
Audience score rating

"With a light touch but deep reserves of respect for fans both old and new Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda is an extremely fitting portrait of the influential composer."

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Vulture

"Won't hold much appeal for those requiring an introduction, but should please fans with its drifting, lyrical, and thoughtful tenor, echoing so much of this artist's music."

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Variety

"The documentary...is never busy, never intrusive, and glides along at a delicate pace, occasionally capturing painful footage of Sakamoto forcing down a seemingly endless sequence of anti-cancer pills, but otherwise calm, respectful and thoughtful."

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The Times

"[Sakamoto] is also ceaselessly interested in the possibilities of electronic music, though I have to say shots of him at the piano keyboard are more interesting than him at the computer keyboard."

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The Guardian

"Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda serves as a respectful and sincere portrait of this provocative yet tender artist, who remains as experimental and innovative as ever."

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South China Morning Post

"The intimate documentary "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda" finds the accomplished composer in a deeply introspective place in both his life and career."

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Los Angeles Times

"The result is an inspirational and deeply moving biopic that resonates long after the closing credits roll, not only because of the uncertain health of its subject, but the tragedies and joys of the human condition that give meaning to his work."

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