Shoplifters

Shoplifters counts among Hirokazu Koreeda's finest work ever, which amounts to quite a lot. This complex and nuanced drama depicts a group of petty thieves and outsiders, an unusual family that has many secrets, and whose members make ends meet by stealing food to have something to eat. One day, they decide to adopt a little girl of six or seven years after learning that she has been mistreated by her biological family.

The film earned Koreeda the prestigious Palme D'Or at this year's Cannes festival, and garnered acclaim from most critics. The industry journal Variety even called it "an Oliver Twist for our time", indeed a fitting characteristic.

The Japanese director Koreeda has a rare sensibility when it comes to the depiction of family life. In this film, he poses challenging questions about the difference between biological family ties and alternative family constellations united by mutual love and caring. TF

NB! Shoplifters is screened with English subtitles.

Hirokazu Koreeda (b. 1962) is one of Japan's foremost filmmakers. After having studied Literature, he started making documentary films and has built an impressive oeuvre. His award-winning films include After Life (1998), Still Walking (2008) og Like Father, Like Son (2013). He was one of the main guests at the 2016 Films from the South edition.