Synopsis

Director Ogata Akira’s 1999 film Boy’s Choir explores the political and social unrest of early 1970s Japan through the eyes of two teenage boys. Michio is sent to an orphanage after his father’s death, where he meets Yasuo, a talented boy soprano who invites him to join the school choir. Their lives are turned upside down when their choirmaster’s ex-girlfriend commits a suicide bombing, drawing them into radical activism. As Yasuo goes through puberty and loses his singing voice, he becomes increasingly frustrated. Michio stays by his side, and the two boys bond over their shared ideals in music and politics. They perform revolutionary songs at a choir competition—but what awaits them is not victory, but despair. Renowned composer Ikebe Shinichiro, known for working with Japan’s most celebrated directors, made a rare exception to collaborate with then-debut director Ogata. His moving score, combining string orchestra and choir, captures the emotional intensity of adolescence in a time of turmoil. Boy’s Choir won the Alfred Bauer Award at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival, as well as Best New Director and Best Supporting Actor at several Japanese film festivals.

Director

Ogata Akira

Born in 1959, Ogata Akira began his film career while studying at Fukuoka University, where he met director Ishii Sogo. He worked as an assistant director on Ishii’s early films such as Crazy Thunder Road (1980), Shuffle (1981), and Burst City (1982). In 1980, he directed a short film titled Tokyo Hankusaikankeisha, and went on to direct numerous TV commercials, dramas, documentaries, and music videos. Boy’s Choir marked his debut as a feature film director.