Acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film, titled ‘Sheep in the Box,’ presents a poignant narrative about a grieving couple who turn to technology to address their loss. The film will open in U.S. theaters this Friday and follows a married couple mourning the death of their son. In a bid to cope with their grief, they commission a humanoid crafted in their son’s exact likeness.
The title of the film draws inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s children’s book ‘The Little Prince,’ where a sheep is imagined as concealed inside a box. Kore-eda uses this reference to suggest that life’s most important aspects are often intangible, sustained by unseen connections.
Set in the not-too-distant future, ‘Sheep in the Box’ is a family drama that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Kore-eda explains, “It explores how a couple tries to rework their relationship with their child, which is similar to the themes in my previous works.” Born in Tokyo in 1962, Kore-eda ventured into directing documentaries post his graduation from Waseda University. He often undertakes the roles of writer, director, and editor in his films, granting him significant control over the filmmaking process.
His acclaimed 2013 feature ‘Like Father, Like Son,’ which delves into the complexities of fatherhood following babies switched at birth, garnered the Jury Prize at Cannes. His 2018 film ‘Shoplifters’ won the Palme d’Or and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film depicted a poverty-stricken family that partially relied on shoplifting for survival.
In 2019, Kore-eda directed French actors Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche in ‘The Truth.’ His 2022 film ‘Broker’ featured Korean actors, including Song Kang-ho, who achieved the Best Actor award at Cannes. Despite the rigors his productions entail, Kore-eda is recognized for his commitment to fostering a positive work environment on set. He has been outspoken against harassment in the industry. Anyone found engaging in harassment on his film sets faces immediate removal.
Kore-eda’s approach is noteworthy in an industry known for demanding hours and low wages, particularly in Japan. Managing benevolent filmmaking is especially challenging as his works often feature children in prominent roles. In his 2004 film ‘Nobody Knows,’ children live unsupervised, scavenging for food and lacking basic amenities. The film propelled Yuya Yagira to stardom, who won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival at 14.
‘Sheep in the Box’ showcases a compelling performance by child actor Rimu Kuwaki, portraying a robot in his feature-film debut. Kore-eda refutes the notion that children are essential elements in his films, stating he prefers the perspective of a child to explore the adult world. “It’s a heavy responsibility. We may be the first adults besides parents and teachers these children may encounter,” he remarked. “We want them to go home thinking all the adults were hard-working and enjoying themselves.”
Kore-eda exudes a surprisingly approachable demeanor for a filmmaker whose works engage with serious themes. He laughs readily, humorously responding to a question once asked to Japanese director Akira Kurosawa: “What is filmmaking for you?” While Kurosawa famously replied, “If you take movies away from me, I am left with nothing,” Kore-eda jestingly offered a similar response before sharing his own. “Movies are the only hobby I’ve ever had. That hobby evolved into my profession. Reflecting on this hobby around the clock became my life and job,” he disclosed. “I am so blessed.”