8 Of the most beautiful Ryuichi Sakamoto film scores
8th Mar 2024 Music
3 min read
To mark the upcoming release of the film Monster, featuring the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, we celebrate some of the late composer's greatest movie scores
At the age of 71, Ryuichi Sakamoto, the
legendary Academy Award-winning Japanese composer known for his contributions
to electronic pop music and the film industry in both the East and the West,
passed away on March 28, 2023, after battling cancer. Despite his illness,
Sakamoto continued to produce music throughout much of his life, showcasing
remarkable dedication to his craft. His legacy as one of the most accomplished
and revered composers in cinema will undoubtedly endure, leaving behind a profound
impact on the world of music and film.
Monster was
the last film for which he provided original music, and in line with the film’s
upcoming UK and Irish cinema release on March 15, we reflect on Sakamoto's
illustrious career and go through some of his most remarkable scores.
Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence
In a remarkable debut as both an actor and
a composer, Sakamoto showcased his multifaceted talent in Merry Christmas,
Mr Lawrence. His iconic score for the film remains a standout in his
career, earning him the prestigious BAFTA award for Best Film Music in 1984.
Through his music, Sakamoto captured the essence of the film's themes with
remarkable poise and elegance, solidifying his status as a visionary composer.
The Last Emperor
Introduced to director Bernardo Bertolucci
at the Cannes Film Festival, Sakamoto embarked on a historic collaboration that
would result in The Last Emperor. Despite the tight deadline, Sakamoto rose to
the occasion, delivering an Oscar-winning score within a week. His music not
only complemented the film's grandeur but also elevated its storytelling to new
heights. The Last Emperor stands as a testament to Sakamoto's ability to
thrive under pressure, leaving an indelible mark on cinematic music history.
The Sheltering Sky
Reuniting with Bertolucci three years after
The Last Emperor, Sakamoto once again demonstrated his unparalleled
skill as a composer in The Sheltering Sky. His score, characterised by
its haunting beauty and ethereal quality, perfectly complemented the film's
existential themes and hypnotic atmosphere. Recognised with a Golden Globe for
Best Original Score in 1987, Sakamoto's music played a crucial role in shaping
the emotional landscape of the film, further solidifying his reputation as a
master of his craft.
Snake Eyes
Following his collaboration with Danny
Elfman for Mission: Impossible, director Brian De Palma approached
Sakamoto for his next thriller, Snake Eyes. For Sakamoto, it was another
mainstream Hollywood project that helped raise his profile, ten years after
Oscar win for The Last Emperor. However, opinions differ on Sakamoto’s
work on the film, with its disparate sound-to-image arrangement.
De Palma’s visual flair often does not fit
with Sakamoto’s classical, measured score, although champions of the music
appreciate this juxtaposing aspect. So while the score is not one of Sakamoto’s
most well-known, it fits beautifully within his oeuvre, and highlights his
popularity within Hollywood.
Wuthering Heights
For its sweeping, soulful adaptation,
director Peter Kosminsky recruited Sakamoto to write a classical score
befitting the infamous love story. Known for its beautiful and haunting tone,
Sakamoto’s music is a fan favourite. Difficult to come by in the UK, the score
has garnered an almost cult following among film, and specifically Sakamoto,
fans. “Sweeping” is an oft-used term for historical epics, but that certainly
rings true for both the film and the music, with an elegant, elegiac set of
tracks making up for the film’s soundtrack.
The Revenant
Led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Iñárritu's The
Revenant stands as a gritty masterpiece, and Sakamoto's contribution to the
film is nothing short of extraordinary. With a keen understanding of the film's
raw intensity, Sakamoto crafted a soundtrack that immerses the audience in the
harsh landscapes of the 19th-century American frontier. Through creative use of
natural sounds, Sakamoto's score enhances the visceral experience of the film,
earning its place as one of cinema's most powerful soundtracks.
After Yang
Indie darling, After Yang, had its
main theme (“Memory Bank”) created by Sakamoto, with the full score handled by
Aska Matsumiya. A memorable, main theme is familiar territory for Sakamoto
after Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, and the chord progressions of Memory
Bank’s the four-minute hark back to that arrangement. Much like the film’s
dance sequence that starts the film, the main theme relies on repetition and
release, with a lush piano melody snapping into a full string arrangement.
Monster
Described as his "cinematic
swansong," Monster serves as a poignant testament to Sakamoto's
talent and resilience. Despite battling cancer, Sakamoto poured his heart and
soul into this posthumous score, collaborating with the renowned filmmaker and
fellow countryman Hirokazu Kore-eda to create a work of unparalleled complexity
and emotion. Widely lauded, Monster stands as a testament to Sakamoto's
mastery of his craft, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest composers of
his generation.
Banner image via Sturm, Wiki Commons
MONSTER is out in UK and Irish cinemas on March 15. For more information, go to monsteruk.film