“In order to avoid sentimentality and be able to write the screenplay with the kind of humor and irony necessary to keep the story moving, I needed to distance myself as much as I could from the characters, to try to get to the point where I can view them objectively.”
-Hirokazu Kore-Eda
Award winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda has made many films. He is a Japanese filmmaker, director and screenwriter. Hirokazu started his career in television and has since directed over a dozen movies. His films focus mainly on the dynamics of the family, and creating emotional connections. Oftentimes, you feel as though you are a part of the film, with him showing gentle slices of human life and the dramas that surround them.
At the Venice Film Festival in 1995, his directorial film debut Maborosi (1995), won a golden Ostella Award for Best Cinematography. In 2005, he won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film and Best Director for his film Nobody Knows (2004).
In 2018, his film, titled Shoplifters (2018), a movie about a little girl that is welcomed into a family of shoplifters, won a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Here are five of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films to get you started.
Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
1. Like Father, Like Son
What’s It About: Ryota Nonomiya is a successful architect. He focuses so much on his work that he tends to neglect his wife, Midori and son, Keita. One fateful day Ryota and his wife Midori recieve a phone call from the hospital. Their six year old son, Keita is not really their “son”. There was a mixup at the hospital and the wrong child was given to them. Ryota is left facing the tough decision, nature verus nurture. Will you chiise your natural son or the one you have cared for the last six years?
Starring: Masaharu Fukuyama, Yoko Maki, Jun Kunimura
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, AMC+
Watch The Trailer Here:
2. After The Storm
What’s It About: Ryota used to be a prize-winning author, but now he wastes his money that he makes as a private detective. He can barely pay his child support. After the death of his father, his mother and ex-wife are beginning to move on with their lives. Ryota wants to reconnect with his splintered family, but they don’t trust him. He longs to be in his young sons life. One night during a particularly bad storm, Ryota might just get the chance he needs.
Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Yoko Maki, Taiyo Yoshizawa
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, Tubi, Pluto TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
3. I Wish
What’s It About: Two brothers are seperated after their parents get divorced. The older brother, Koichi, lives in Kagoshima with his mother and grandparents. Younger brother, Ryonsuke lives with his father in Fukuoka. A trainline is almost completed connecting the two cities together. A rumor starts to spread about the train that when the train cross paths, an energy is released and you can make a wish. Koichi hears about the rumor and makes a plan to reunite with his younger brother and his family with one special wish.
Starring: Kohki Maeda, Ohshiro Maeda, Nene Otsuka
Where To Watch: Pluto TV, Tubi, Vudu
Watch The Trailer Here:
4. Nobody Knows
What’s It About: Four children, Akira, Kyoko, Shigeru and Yuri are between the ages five and twelve. They live in Tokyo with their mother. All of the children have different fathers and are considered half-siblings. One day their mother leaves them home alone for weeks. Because three of the children are in the apartment illegally without the landlord’s permission, they cannot go outside or be seen in the apartment. Only Akira, the eldest, is allowed to go outside. None of the children attend school. After time has passed, the kids realize their mother is not going to return home. The children are forced to rely on each other for survival. Will they be able to handle the challenges that will surely face them?
Starring: Yuya Yagira, Kitaura Ayu, Hiei Kimura
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Apple TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
5. Still Walking
What’s It About: Every year the Yokoyama family comes together to remember the life of the eldest son, Junpei, that accidentially drowned twelve years ago saving the life of a boy. Ryota, the younger son, resents his parents knowing that Junpei was their favorite child. His parents, Kyohei and Toshiko, are constantly disappointed in Ryota because of his career choice. Ryota has chose a career in art restoration instead of becoming a doctor and taking over the family business like Junpei. Ryota also introduces his new wife, a widow named Yukari for the first time to his family. Will the family be able to come together during a time of remberance, or will old wounds remain open?
Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Yui, Kirin Kiki
Where To Watch: The Roku Channel, Sling Premium Channel, Google Play Movies & TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
