May. 20, 2018
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters” (Japanese: Manbiki Kazoku) won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. He won the award as a Japanese director for the first time in 21 years since Shohei Imamura’s “The Eel” won in 1997. The “Shoplifters” is an unusual family drama. Through a poor family stealing from stores, we think what family connections should be. At the award ceremony, Kore-eda, 55 appeared on the podium and started his speech saying “My legs are shaking.” He was nervous and excited. He also said “I’m really happy to be here.”
In 2013, Kore-eda won the Jury Prize for “Like Father, Like Son” (Japanese: Soshite Chichi ni Naru), so this is his second time to win an award at cannes. In his works he has depicted various people struggling to make a living, and he has acquired a reputation for that. There are 5 more films that have been presented at Cannes: ”After the Storm” (Umi Yorimo Mada Fukaku) in 2016, “Our Little Sister” (Umimachi Diary) in 2015, “Air Doll” (Kuki Ningyo) in 2009, “Nobody Knows” (Daremo Shiranai) in 2004 and “In Competition-Feature Films” (Distance) in 2001.
By Meg Konishi (Find Your Japan)