Hirokazu Koreeda talks AI-inspired new film ‘Sheep In The Box’ and his Cannes nerves: "It can be a tough crowd"

Hirokazu Koreeda has a long history with Cannes. His latest film Sheep In The Box will be the Japanese auteur’s eighth feature to play in Competition at the festival. Previous entries include Like Father, Like Son, which won the jury prize in 2013; Shoplifters, which took home the Palme d’Or in 2018; and Monster, which won the Queer Palm and best screenplay award in 2023.

Hirokazu Koreeda talks AI-inspired new film ‘Sheep In The Box’ and his Cannes nerves: "It can be a tough crowd". Hirokazu Koreeda has a long history with Cannes. His latest film Sheep In The Box will be the Japanese auteur’s eighth feature to play in Competition at the festival. Previous entries include Like Father, Like Son, which won the jury prize in 2013; Shoplifters, which took home the Palme d’Or in 2018; and Monster, which won the Queer Palm and best screenplay award in 2023. Sheep In The Box stars Haruka Ayase, one of Japan’s most popular actresses, alongside comedian Daigo Yamamoto as parents who work through the grief of losing their young son by adopting a humanoid robot — played by Rimu Kuwaki — built using his appearance and memories. The film has its Grand Theatre Lumiere premiere tomorrow (May 16). What inspired you to writ...