Director Hirokazu Kore-eda Returns with New Film ‘The Sheep in a Box,’ Korean Visit Confirmed for June 4

Renowned filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda from Japan’s film world is coming to Korea once again. On the 12th, its importer Media Castle officially announced that Kore-eda will visit Korea on June 4 in conjunction with the domestic release of his new film, ‘The Sheep in a Box.’

■ A near-future fable that asks what “family” means… a gem Cannes chose first

‘The Sheep in a Box’ is a work that combines Kore-eda’s longtime theme of “family” with a near-future setting. It delicately depicts the emotional waves that unfold after a humanoid robot, who looks exactly like a deceased son, is accepted as part of the family.

The film will be invited to the competitive section of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, opening in France on the 12th (local time), and will be revealed to the world for the first time. Kore-eda, who previously won the Palme d’Or with “Nobody Knows”-type “Any Family,” now has everyone wondering whether he will once again earn the honor of another major award.

■ Haruka Ayase X Rimu Kuwaki… a perfect acting ensemble

Japanese national star Haruka Ayase delivered a standout performance as Otone, a mother who, overcoming the pain of loss, takes in a robot as her son. Rimu Kuwaki, a promising young child actor who will be in Korea alongside director Kore-eda, plays a humanoid robot that resembles a son, offering a strange yet heartfelt performance.

■ Korean visit schedule: June 4–5… “We’ll have deep conversations with Korean fans”

After arriving in Korea on June 4 and holding an official press conference, Director Kore-eda will spend two days until the 5th—delivering stage greetings and taking part in a Q&A-style dialogue with viewers (GV)—to communicate directly with Korean fans. As Kore-eda has long shown deep affection for Korean films and actors, expectations are high that meaningful film-related discussions will be exchanged during this visit as well.

In Seoul, the hub of K-culture spanning both the music and film industries, attention is focused on what message about “family in the era of technology” delivered by this master filmmaker will resonate with audiences. ‘The Sheep in a Box’ will open in Korean theaters on June 10.