A Robot That Looks Like a Dead Son... Hirokazu Kore-eda’s New Film ‘The Sheep in the Box’ to Release in June

The Master Returns: Hirokazu Kore-eda’s New Film ‘The Sheep in the Box’

Global master ‘Hirokazu Kore-eda’ returns with a new family film ‘The Sheep in the Box’, set in the near future. Combining the pain of loss with the sci-fi concept of ‘humanoids’, the film has been invited to the Competition Section of the 79th ‘Cannes International Film Festival’, drawing intense attention from the worldwide film industry.

The Call of the 10th Cannes... The Near Future Seen Through a Master’s Eyes

Hirokazu Kore-eda, a leading director who represents Japanese cinema, will officially release his new film ‘The Sheep in the Box’ in domestic theaters on June 10. Distributor Media Castle announced on the 13th that the release has been confirmed, saying that the film has been officially invited to the Competition Section of the 79th ‘Cannes International Film Festival’ next month. This is a landmark record—his 10th consecutive Cannes selection overall and his 8th in the Competition Section.

Loss and ‘Humanoids’... The Birth of a New Family

‘The Sheep in the Box’ takes place in the near future and follows the story of a family that brings in a ‘humanoid’ that perfectly resembles a son who passed away in an unfortunate accident. What stands out is the trademark depth of insight of director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who has explored the true meaning of family beyond blood ties through many acclaimed works such as ‘Like Father, Like Son’ and ‘Shoplifters,’ among others.

A Reimagining of ‘The Little Prince’ and an Overwhelming Cast

The motif of this film is drawn from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s immortal masterpiece ‘The Little Prince’. The director personally oversees the screenplay and editing, maximizing the film’s aesthetic completeness. In addition, Japan’s top acting powerhouse ‘Haruka Ayase’ breaks down the character of Otōne, the mother in the story, delivering with delicate nuance the complex emotional arc—parents’ devastating sense of loss after losing a child and the feelings involved in accepting a new being.

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