Detailed Plot and Summary

Shoplifters is a Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The storyline revolves around a non-biological family that relies on shoplifting to meet their needs. When the family takes in a young girl they find outside in the freezing cold, they come under scrutiny, leading to revealing secrets and testing the bonds of their unconventional family setup.

Making / Production

The movie, written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, was inspired by real-life incidents in Japan. The film was shot entirely in Tokyo over a span of two months. Kore-eda sought to explore the definition of a family and the essence of love and survival in society.

Actors

• Lily Franky as Osamu Shibata - He plays the father figure of the family who teaches the children shoplifting skills. Franky brought an empathetic, albeit flawed character to life.
• Sakura Ando as Nobuyo Shibata - Nobuyo is the mother figure whose fierce love for her family compels her to make difficult choices. Ando's performance is both stirring and strong.
• Miyu Sasaki as Juri, the abandoned girl - Her stirring portrayal of the vulnerable and yet resilient Juri left a lasting impression.
• Kirin Kiki as Hatsue Shibata - As the elderly member of the family, Kiki moves the audience with her affectionate, yet calculative character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Shoplifters is the second film by Hirokazu Kore-eda to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
• This was the last film appearance of actress Kirin Kiki before she died in September 2018.
• The real house where the Shibatas live was built from scratch on an empty lot, because the director wanted it to radiate the history of the people living there.

Awards

The movie won prestigious awards including the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, among other nominations and wins.

Quotes

• "Sometimes it's better to choose your own family."
• "Even the police don't need you."
• "From now on, you're part of our family."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's music was composed by Haruomi Hosono, a huge figure in Japanese pop music.
• "Shoplifters" doesn't use its score to underline drama or pathos. Instead, it's a light and breezy accompaniment that goes hand-in-hand with the naturalistic performances of the cast.