Wednesday, June 06, 2018, 18:45 - 21:30
A family of petty criminals who will steal your heart
Sneak Preview Screening: "Shoplifters (Manbiki Kazoku)"
followed by a Q&A with director Kore-eda Hirokazu*
Wednesday, June 6 at 6:45 pm*
*Please note early start time.
In Japanese with English subtitles
Japan, 2018 120 minutes
Written, Edited and Directed by: Kore-eda Hirokazu
Produced by: Matsuzaki Kaoru, Yose Akihiko, Taguchi Hijiri
Starring: Lily Franky, Ando Sakura, Matsuoka Mayu, Kiki Kilin, Kairi Jyo, Sasaki Miyu
(Director*, Producers and Cast: except for Lily Franky, the family name first, followed by the given name)
Film courtesy of Gaga
Hirokazu Kore-eda has just become the first Japanese director in 21 years to win the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, for his new masterwork, "Shoplifters."
After his foray into genre filmmaking with the 2017 legal thriller "The Third Murder," Japan's poet laureate of everyday life returns to his preferred subject: the trials and tribulations of the family unit. "Shoplifters," which he has been working on for the last decade, explores the strength and fragility of bonds forged by choice, not blood. As lyrical and contemplative as Kore-eda's previous work, it features award-worthy performances from a familiar - and much-loved - cast, along with two gifted children who make their debuts in the film.
In an era of belt-tightening and widening income gaps, young Shota (Jyo) has been taught by his father Osamu (Kore-eda regular Lily Franky) how to pinch the things they need but can't afford: "The stuff in stores doesn't belong to anyone yet," Osamu reassures him. The two work seamlessly together on the job, trading secret signals and celebrating with fist-bumps before bringing their booty back to the ramshackle dwelling they share with Nobuyo (Ando, making her first appearance in a Kore-eda film), Nobuyo's sister Aki (Matsuoka), and granny Hatsue (Kiki, also a Kore-eda regular), whose pension supplements the income of the adults' minimum-wage jobs.
Returning home one frigid night, Osamu rescues a tiny girl, Yuri (Sasaki), who is malnourished and too shy to speak. At first reluctant to shelter (and feed) her, Nobuyo realizes that she is being abused and decides to take her in. Despite the occasional incident (a broken leg, a lost job, a death) the family lives happily together, until one shoplifting trip triggers an unforeseen outcome, and hidden secrets threaten to undo the bonds uniting them.
Please join us for this sneak preview of the 2018 Cannes Palm d'Or winner, the gently comedic and heart-wrenching "Shoplifters," prior to its Japanese release on June 8.
For more (in Japanese): http://gaga.ne.jp/manbiki-kazoku/
Writer-director KORE-EDA HIROKAZU started his career with TV Man Union, directing several prize-winning documentary programs before making his directorial debut in 1995 with "Maborosi," which won the Venice International Film Festival's Golden Osella for directing. His next film, "After Life," (1998) was distributed in 30 nations. In 2001, "Distance" was selected for the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, and in 2004, the star of his fourth work, "Nobody Knows," became the youngest recipient of the Cannes Best Actor Award. His "Still Walking" (2008), "Air Doll" (2009) and "I Wish" (2011) all earned him further acclaim, and in 2013, "Like Father, Like Son" won the Cannes Jury Prize and broke box office records. He has continued to reap awards both overseas and in Japan with "Our Little Sister" (2015), "After the Storm" (2016) and "The Third Murder" (2017). Kore-eda has produced films for young Japanese directors like Iseya Yusuke, Nishikawa Miwa and Sunada Mami, and launched his own production company in 2014.
(directors: the family name first, followed by the given name)
Please make your reservations at the FCCJ Reception Desk (3211-3161) or register below. Members are limited to one guest, and there will be a waiting list after seating capacity is reached. You may attend the Q&A session without attending the screening, but you will not have seating priority. All film screenings are private, noncommercial events primarily for FCCJ members and their guests.
- Karen Severns, Film Committee
