Tony Takitani

Ryuichi Sakamoto's beautiful film score underpins the story of a lonely man discovering companionship for the first time.

Tony Takitani has led a lonely life. His mother died shortly after he was born and his father did not spend much time at home as Tony grew up. As a child without social distractions, he is able to hone his skills on accurate drawings albeit without emotion, and as an adult, he becomes a remarkable Technical Illustrator.

One day, though, Tony Takitani falls in love with a young woman who is all elegance on the outside but harbours an insatiable obsession.

Curator's Note

Featuring an overwhelmingly beautiful score by composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (the piece 'Solitude' features in Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus), Jun Ichikawa's film about an emotionless man is quite the opposite. Shot in cool blue tones, the film drips with an aching melancholy throughout.

Based on Haruki Murakami's short story, Tony Takitani is one of the earlier film adaptations of his to arrive on cinema screens. The film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival where the director won a Special Jury Prize and the film won the FIPRESCI Prize.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)