Neo Sora (born 1991) is an American film director and screenwriter. He has directed narrative and documentary films, including Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023) and Happyend (2024).
Neo Sora | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Relatives |
|
Early life
editSora was born to manager Norika Sora, and film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto in New York, New York, and was raised in both New York and Tokyo.[2][3] Sora graduated from Wesleyan University in Philosophy and Film Studies.[4]
Career
editSora is a member of the filmmaking collective Zakkubalan alongside Albert Tholen and Aiko Masubuchi.[5] Sora has directed music videos for Shuta Hasunuma & U-zhaan, BIGYUKI, Rachika S and Biki Zoom, Anthony Naples, Beta Librae, Jason Moran and Dairo Suga.[6]
In 2020, Sora directed the narrative short film The Chicken which had its world premiere at the 73rd Locarno Film Festival.[7][8] It also screened at the 2020 New York Film Festival and the AFI Fest.[9][10]
In 2022, Sora directed the narrative short film Sugar Glass Bottle, which premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival.[11]
In 2023, Sora directed the documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus revolving around the last concert performed by his father, Ryuichi Sakamoto, which had its world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival.[12] The film was released in March 2024 by Janus Films.[13][14]
In 2024, Sora wrote and directed Happyend which will have its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in the Orrizonti section.[15] It will also screen at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and 2024 New York Film Festival.[16][17] It was previously selected for the 2022 Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing labs.[18]
Filmography
editFeature film
edit| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Happyend | Yes | No | Yes |
Documentary film
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus | Yes | No | No |
Short film
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Chicken | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Sugar Glass Bottle | Yes | Yes | No |
References
edit- ^ "Neo Sora". Infra Magazine. June 21, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Nguyen, Kevin (March 16, 2024). "Ryuichi Sakamoto's last performance is his son's first feature film". The Verge. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "About". Neo Sora. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "25 Faces of Independent Film: Neo Sora". Filmmaker. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "About". Zakkubalan. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Works". Neo Sora. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Hopewell, John; Lang, Jamie (August 10, 2020). "10 Short Films Not to Miss at Locarno Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Bacon, Redmond. "The Best Short Films of the Locarno Film Festival". Directors Notes. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Bittencourt, Ela (September 21, 2020). "What Not to Miss at the 2020 New York Film Festival". Hyperallergic. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "AFI FEST 2020 presented by Audi Full Lineup Announced". AFI Fest. October 6, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Sugar Glass Bottle". Hamptons International Film Festival. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (September 5, 2023). "Spirit Of Ryuichi Sakamoto Returns To Venice With Concert Film 'Opus'; Director Son Neo Sora Talks Composer's Love Of Cinema & Complex Relationship With Piano". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (September 25, 2023). "Venice Standout Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Sells to Janus Films in North America Ahead of New York Film Festival Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Gilchrist, Todd (March 15, 2024). "'Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus' Director Neo Sora on Filming His Father's Final Performance". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 23, 2024). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: 'Joker: Folie à Deux', Almodovar, Guadagnino, Kurzel, Larrain & More In Competition – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (August 6, 2024). "'Presence,' Cannes Favorites 'Seed of the Sacred Fig' and 'To a Land Unknown' Join TIFF Centrepiece Lineup". IndieWire. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "62nd New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". New York Film Festival. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Sundance Institute Announces 2022 Fellows for Directors, Screenwriters and Native Labs". Sundance Institute. May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.