HAPPYEND

Followed by refreshments.
Film release date: 2025 (Australia)
Film languages: Japanese (English subtitles)

This Japanese drama which premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival in 2024 is set in the near future. Directed by Neo Sora, the film shows the life, lived under the threat of a mega-earthquake, of 2 friends who will soon be graduating from high school. After a trick played on the school principal, a high-tech surveillance system incorporating facial recognition is installed in the school, and the film explores the consequences of this. It examines themes such as state control, the disillusionment of young people, xenophobia and so on.

The film also shows how political views can damage close relationships. 98 per cent of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were positive, and the mostly inexperienced cast were praised as naturals.

The cinematography by Bill Kiersten received praise, as did the sound track. Happyend won the Young Cinema Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2024 as well as picking up a few other awards at lesser known festivals.