Keswick Film Club - Reviews - Happyend

Last Sunday’s film was 'Happyend' set in a dystopian near-future Tokyo. Director Neo Sora's striking feature explores a group of teenagers rebelling against their mysteriously Orwellian society where they're constantly monitored and stalked by earthquake sirens.

Happyend is a part coming-of-age portrait, part futurist satire, following best friends Yuta and Kou as they confront a world where AI surveillance is tightening under the yoke of oppressive authoritarianism. The director keeps music at the heart of the film with a futuristic and very cool score from Lia Ouyang Rusli, the same composer who worked on Sorry, Baby. This ominous music, carefully crafted characters, stylish cinematography and political commentary, that isn't too heavy-handed, will stay with you long after watching the film.

Totally absorbing, and brilliantly optimistic, the film’s near-future dystopian world isn't painstakingly explained, it's the mystery and search for clues that keep you glued to the stylish nocturnal cinematography. 'Happyend' is a confident, measured and loving film, a youthful vision of resistance and, joy in the face of control.