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Neo Sora

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Neo Sora
Born1991[1]
Occupation(s)Director, screenwriter
Years active2010–present
Relatives

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).

Early life

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Sora 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

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Sora 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 had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in the Orizzonti section.[15] It also made its North American premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and screened in the Main Slate of the 62nd New York Film Festival.[16][17] It was previously selected for the 2022 Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing labs.[18]

Filmography

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Feature film

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Year Title Director Producer Writer
2024 Happyend Yes No Yes

Documentary film

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Year Title Director Writer Producer
2023 Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Yes No No

Short film

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Year Title Director Writer Producer
2020 The Chicken Yes Yes No
2022 Sugar Glass Bottle Yes Yes No

References

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  1. ^ "Neo Sora". Infra Magazine. June 21, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Nguyen, Kevin (March 16, 2024). "Ryuichi Sakamoto's last performance is his son's first feature film". The Verge. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "About". Neo Sora. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "25 Faces of Independent Film: Neo Sora". Filmmaker. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "About". Zakkubalan. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "Works". Neo Sora. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Hopewell, John; Lang, Jamie (August 10, 2020). "10 Short Films Not to Miss at Locarno Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Bacon, Redmond. "The Best Short Films of the Locarno Film Festival". Directors Notes. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Bittencourt, Ela (September 21, 2020). "What Not to Miss at the 2020 New York Film Festival". Hyperallergic. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "AFI FEST 2020 presented by Audi Full Lineup Announced". AFI Fest. October 6, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sugar Glass Bottle". Hamptons International Film Festival. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (March 15, 2024). "'Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus' Director Neo Sora on Filming His Father's Final Performance". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "62nd New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". Film at Lincoln Center. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sundance Institute Announces 2022 Fellows for Directors, Screenwriters and Native Labs". Sundance Institute. May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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