Hear the last songs of Ryuichi Sakamoto in Ragtag concert film

On March 28, 2023, the strains of Ryuichi Sakamoto's life faded into eternity. Among the great musicians of his generation, the Japanese pianist and Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer brought depth and vision to everything he did.

Sakamoto's later days will be projected onto the big screen, as large as his musical life, in "Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus," which opens locally at Ragtag Cinema at the end of March.

Director — and the musician's son — Neo Sora's film sits alongside Sakamoto in late 2022 as he performs 20 pieces which "span his diverse oeuvre, from his pop-star days with the Yellow Magic Orchestra and his film compositions to his final album," as Ragtag's website notes.

Described by those who've seen it as part concert film, part self-eulogy, part last will and musical testament, the movie "lets one of our greatest artists say goodbye to his audience and his artistry on his own terms," Ragtag says.

The film indeed promises the true range of Sakamoto, who played pop, ambient, neo-classical and more. Listening close, critic Glenn Kenny said the musician's themes "recall Debussy, sometimes Satie."

"Sometimes during this film you think that Sakamoto was surely Japan’s greatest early 20th century French composer. But that’s glib," Kenny wrote for RogerEbert.com. "The man’s music was open and tender, and his playing here has a vulnerability that comes from a place that’s all too real."

Kenny's review identifies one paradox looming over the filmgoing experience.

"Sakamoto’s music is very evocative ... and creates pictures in the mind. If you close your eyes," Kenny wrote. "That’s obviously an option here, but not necessarily a desirable one."

"Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus" opens at Ragtag March 29. Learn more at https://ragtagcinema.org/film/ryuichi-sakamoto-opus/.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Hear the last songs of Ryuichi Sakamoto in Ragtag concert film