In a near-future Tokyo, where the threats of catastrophic earthquakes pervade daily life, two mischievous best friends are about to graduate high school. One night, they pull a serious prank on the Principal, which leads to a surveillance system being installed throughout the school. Caught between the oppressive security measures and a darkening national political situation, the two respond in contrasting ways, leading them to confront differences they had not faced before.

Set in a near-future Tokyo, Happyend amplifies the sociopolitical dynamics that already exist in Japan today. Despite the oppression from the conservative government and nationalistic xenophobia, more immigrants have settled in the country, bringing together children of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. It’s in this environment that the teenage protagonists of Happyend come into their young adulthood.

The two protagonists, Yuta and Kou, show contrasting attitudes in the face of political repression. One fights for radical change, and the other holds onto comfort. Not knowing how to express their feelings, friction grows between the best friends.

Social and political issues, however, weren’t so much on my mind growing up. As teenagers, what mattered was having fun with my friends, playing pranks, and being silly. I wanted to reflect such observations.

At its simplest level, Happyend is about the natural break up of friends. However, it simultaneously explores how larger forces unconsciously shape our lives and relationships. Raised in an environment pervaded by anxiety, the teenagers in Happyend all search for strategies to process their collective apprehension for the future. It is my hope that by peering into the speculative future, we might be able to cast light upon our present anxiety, enabling us to overcome the fears we feel today.

2024 81th Venice Film Festival
2024 49th Toronto International Film Festival
2024 62th New York Film Festival
2024 29th Busan International Film Festival
2024 68th BFI London Film Festival
2024 7th Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Film Festival