Watching Happyend as my final film at JAFF made the experience all the more poignant.
The oppressive surveillance system, the looming threat of an earthquake, and the shifting sociopolitical dynamics are powerful backdrops, yet what lingers most is the emotional core of their story: the freedom, courage, and innocence that define youth, even when the world around them feels suffocating. Kou’s politically charged awakening and Yuta’s clinging to the comfort of familiarity reflect the seismic shifts in their friendship, where…
