Before pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto died, his son filmed a spellbinding swansong

WATCH & LISTEN / End notes

The film Opus has Sakamoto performing 20 of his pieces – without interviews or voice-over.Credit: Neo Sora 2022/Kab Inc

The great Japanese composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto – perhaps best known to Western audiences for writing the soundtrack and starring in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) – died of complications from cancer last year, aged 71. But before he left the stage, his son Neo Sora filmed and recorded an intimate performance of 20 of his pieces. The resulting film, Opus (now showing on multiple providers), is emotional and spellbinding, just the silver-haired, bespectacled musician at the piano without interviews or voice-over. His compositions are by turns haunting, heartbreaking and stirring, and the camera captures the masterful delicacy of Sakamoto’s playing and even the small moments when he pauses mid-song, berates himself for some perceived mistake, and starts over. I saw the film earlier this year at the Perth Festival, at an outdoor cinema under the stars, and I could see that I wasn’t the only one moved to tears. Now a posthumous album of the same name has been released, a final testament to this swansong performance, and a lasting reminder of what we’ve lost. Barry Divola

SHOP / Plastic fantastic

The handles of these knives are made from reclaimed fishing net: a percentage of every sale supports the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

Each year, tonnes of abandoned fishing nets, known as ghost nets, threaten marine life as they drift in our oceans. Ironclad Co, in partnership with New Zealand knife-maker Victory Knives, is tackling this by producing Ghost Knives, commercial-grade blades with handles made from 100 per cent recovered nets (from $79 for the 15cm Boning Ghost Knife). A single purchase removes about a kilo of netting; a percentage of every sale supports the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Frances Mocnik

READ / Family jewel

Khin Myint’s memoir Fragile Creatures recounts the racism he faced growing up in Perth.

In this graceful and moving memoir, Khin Myint recounts the severe racism he and his sister experienced growing up in Perth as the children of a father who was a Burmese refugee and a mother who migrated from the United Kingdom. As adults, his sister was left bedridden by an uncertain medical condition, while Myint faced legal trouble after travelling to the United States to try to save his relationship with his ex-partner. Myint uses his personal story to gently but poignantly examine race, class, masculinity and the connection between the mind and body. Fragile Creatures (Black Inc; $35) is a powerful debut from a writer to watch. Melanie Kembrey

TUNE IN / Going viral

LA-based podcaster Jamie Loftus examines viral internet stories – and the ensuing fallout of fame.

Right now, it’s the “hawk tuah” girl – Haliey Welch from Tennessee – who’s gone viral for a mouthy answer to a vox-pop question. But back in the day, it was things like 2015’s “the dress”, a picture that a mother of a bride posted online; half the internet argued the dress was black and blue, the other half swore it was white and gold. Or “garden coffee lady”, spawned by an innocuous tweet from a woman who liked to spend time with her husband in the garden every morning, talking and drinking coffee, then suffered an onslaught of vilification for what critics perceived as her privilege. On the podcast Sixteenth Minute (of Fame), Jamie Loftus looks at what happens to our humanity online, delving into these and other viral stories to investigate the fallout for those who became internet stars, even if they didn’t ask for it. Barry Divola

GET TECH / You rang?

Knock, knock … This phone-connected tech helps you check who’s there before you bother getting off the couch.

Keeping an eye on your house is no small feat, but this tech-heavy doorbell is more than up to the task. The Battery Video Doorbell Pro ($349), from US firm Ring, is probably the smartest doorbell you can buy. Featuring crisp HD video and excellent audio, it offers enhanced night vision and even shows you an aerial map view of your property to pinpoint where exactly your visitor is. The doorbell charges via an included USB-C cable, and Ring says its battery will last between six and 12 months before needing a charge. Many consumers have shied away from smart doorbells – too fiddly to install or too expensive – but the Battery Video Doorbell Pro represents the perfect time to jump in. David Swan

PLAY / Art attack

At Sydney Contemporary at Carriageworks, enjoy Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland leading a panel discussion – and a live, art-themed GW Quiz.

For many, September means football finals; for art lovers it also means Sydney Contemporary, on at Carriageworks from September 5-8. The eighth edition of this annual art fair will feature 400-plus established and emerging artists from more than 85 galleries across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The program includes guided tours, educational workshops and panel discussions. Speaking of which, don’t miss Good Weekend’s very own Katrina Strickland in conversation with 2024 Archibald Prize winner Laura Jones and sculptor Alex Seton on the Friday night. On Saturday, test your knowledge with So You Think You Know Art?, a live, art-themed Good Weekend Quiz, hosted by Richard Glover. How well do you know your Pissarro from your Picasso? (Tickets from $30; SMH subscribers 2-for-1 deal) Frances Mocnik

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