Shoplifters

Shoplifters (2018) is a Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The film tells the story of a makeshift family living on the fringes of society, bound together by their shared struggles rather than blood relations. Shoplifters won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time a Japanese film had won the prestigious award since 1997.

The story revolves around Osamu Shibata (played by Lily Franky), a part-time construction worker, and his wife, Nobuyo (played by Sakura Ando). The couple, along with their makeshift family, survives on low-paying jobs and shoplifting. One day, while Osamu and his young son, Shota, are out shoplifting, they come across a little girl named Yuri, who appears to be neglected and abused. Osamu and Nobuyo decide to take her in, despite their financial struggles.

As the family welcomes Yuri into their unconventional and loving home, secrets about the family members begin to surface, revealing their complicated pasts. The film explores themes of family, love, poverty, and morality, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes a family and prompting viewers to question societal norms.

Shoplifters is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film, praised for its sensitive storytelling, nuanced character development, and outstanding performances by the ensemble cast.