Happyend

Set in a near-future, dystopian Tokyo, where the looming threat of a devastating earthquake controls daily life, Happyend follows two high school friends, Kou and Yuta, whose bond is tested by mounting social and political tensions. An innocent prank sparks a school-wide surveillance program, forcing the two to confront their identities and futures in a world dominated by control and uncertainty. With its visually striking cinematography, mesmerising soundtrack, and sharp societal critique, Neo Sora delivers a compelling youthful narrative of a generation searching for its voice in a time of change.

After its world premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival 2024, Happyend has been screened at numerous festivals around the world, such as Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Singapore International Film Festival, and garnered many accolades, including the Golden Hanoman Award (Jogja-NETPAC) and the Young Cinema Award (Asia Pacific Screen Awards).

Based in New York and Tokyo, filmmaker and artist Neo Sora previously captivated audiences with numerous short films such as The Chicken (2020), Sugar Glass Bottle (2022), and his feature debut Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus (2023), an intimate documentary about his late father’s final piano performance, which had its world premiere at Venice. With Happyend, Sora solidifies his place as one of the most exciting emerging filmmakers of his generation.

The 17th edition of CinemAsia runs from March 6 to 11 and spans venues including Studio/K, Rialto De Pijp, Rialto VU, and Eye Filmmuseum, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant and diverse world of Asian cinema.