Ryuichi Sakamoto: async Live at the Park Avenue Armory

Ryuichi Sakamoto: async Live at the Park Avenue Armory is a captivating documentary-style concert film that intimately situates viewers in the awe-inspiring sonic universe of its eponymous subject. Released in 2018 and directed by Stephen Nomura Schible, the film captures the innovative and influential musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s, live performance, executed meticulously with an extraordinary fusion of sound, space, and visual artistry.

The film begins by setting the stage at the stunning venue of the Park Avenue Armory in New York City, which is renowned for its exclusive events that weave together various art forms. The grand and expansive hall throbbed with anticipation for the performance of Ryuichi Sakamoto, a performer who not only introduced the world to the versatile potential of electronic music but also asserted his mark in the world of film scores and orchestral compositions.

The film specifically revolves around the live performance of Sakamoto's 2017 album - "async", which was deemed as his masterpiece and a compelling return to the music scene following a brief hiatus due to health concerns. The album is a profound introspective journey through Sakamoto's meditations on life, nature, and mortality, deeply inspired by his confrontation with throat cancer. The concert, therefore, is a rare glimpse into the contemplative, philosophical, and deeply personal world of the artist.

The film excels at translating Sakamoto's sonic narrative into a visceral visual experience. The concert demonstrates his affinity for blurring boundaries between various genres, including classical, electronic, and ambient music, coupled with sweeping orchestrations and subtle musicality, creating layers of sonic textures that envelop the audience with a wall of sound. His evocative manipulation of electronic sounds, mixed with taped nature sounds, resonates through the hall, bouncing off the walls and the ceilings - creating an immersive and hypnotic soundscape.

The film's camerawork and editing are meticulous, transposing the viewer into the heart of the Armory, conveying the intricacies of Sakamoto's performance. Long sweeping shots juxtaposed against intense close-ups unveil the meticulous detail of the artist's interaction with his instruments, the grand piano, layered electronic devices, and unconventional sound-making objects.

Underscoring Sakamoto's music are impressively coordinated lighting and visual effects, drawing an entrancing ambiance that engulfs the audience into the projected world of sound. The dimly lit hall flickers with ethereal lighting, cascading a mystical aura, complementing the oscillating sonic journey he embarks for the audience. These elements are woven seamlessly throughout the performance, blurring the boundaries between music, light, space, and the viewer’s perception.

What sets this film apart is its approach to highlighting both Sakamoto's role as a musician and a conscientious thinker. It showcases his seemingly rare ability to create intimacy in a grand setting, pulling the audience into his inner world, full of introspection and personal meaning through his music. In capturing the tension and release of Sakamoto's compositions, the film accentuates the cathartic and therapeutic nature of music, offering viewers an opportunity to contemplate alongside the artist.

Prominent segments in the film showcase Sakamoto's unique take on sound experimentation, using a variety of everyday objects to create distinctive rhythms and ambient noises. It provides a glimpse into his process of dismantling traditional musical boundaries, illustrating how his compositions attain their abstract, progressive layers.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: async Live at the Park Avenue Armory serves not only as a concert film but transcends into a work of art that draws synthesis from the realms of modern sonic design and visual storytelling. It is a testament to Ryuichi Sakamoto's enduring legacy as a pioneering musician and a thought-provoking artist, underscoring his profound ability to weave music with emotional and philosophical narratives.

This film will not only appeal to those already familiar with Sakamoto’s illustrious oeuvre but equally to uninitiated viewers. The captivating amalgamation of sublime music and astonishing visuals renders the film an unforgettable journey into the mind and artistry of one of the most innovative musicians of our time. It invites the viewer for an intimate and immersive look into the artist's creative process, making this film a must-watch for music enthusiasts, film lovers, and admirers of innovative artistic expressions.