A family goes under the microscope after taking in a lost child in the Palme d’Or winner Shoplifters.
Luckily they don’t have anything too terrible to uncover, just some small-scale crimes that allow them to make ends meet. Their general decency is evidenced by their care of the young girl, who they informally take into their family despite barely squeaking by as is. Unfortunately their good deed doesn’t go unpunished, and their tight-knit unit is threatened when outsiders question their way of life.
A new film from Hirokazu Kore-eda was always going to draw attention, as his brand of quiet, contemplative films have earned widespread acclaim. The attention that comes with taking the big prize at Cannes is something he’s been circling around for years, especially after Like Father, Like Son and After the Storm were serious contenders. Actually securing the Golden Palm will undoubtedly bring Kore-eda to an even bigger audience, though, and it appears that Shoplifters will be a good entry point for what he does best.
The film promises to take a socially conscious look at poverty while still hovering around one of his most common themes: family. The group may not all be blood related, but that doesn’t mean Kore-eda won’t dissect them all the same, hopefully with the same generosity he extends to so many of his characters.
Shoplifters is directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and stars Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, and Mayu Matsuoka. It will be released in the US and the UK on November 23rd, 2018. For international release dates, click here.
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