Cannes Palme d’Or winning film “Shoplifters”

Recently, at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters” won the Palme d’Or. In Fukui, its advance screening was held last weekend and I went to see the film.

On the surface, modern Japan is thought to be affluent. But it has problems piled up that we should discuss more seriously. Seeing the film, various keywords related to the problems crossed my mind one after another. And, Kore-eda’s screenplay and direction reflects the problems without feelings and messages.
In addition, all the cast members’ performance beyond acting creates
the overwhelming reality. The two child actors are also really great.
Gradually, I didn’t feel that I was watching a film any more. And, maybe the reason there were many eating scenes is that we cannot live without eating.

Director Kore-eda doesn’t make us cry easily and see things in black and white.
He purposely avoids them. I felt that his pride that he would not make a shallow film such people could cry easily and this is a right answer.

I don’t think that this film should not be criticized posing as a critic. Nobody could say anything in a know-it-all attitude. Even after you see the film, probably you don’t have the answer. However, the film will give you a chance to think deeply once again about poverty, good and bad, life and death, love of family. (H.S)