by Hirokazu Kore-eda
In order to make ends meet, Osamu and his wife Noboyu have taught their children, Aki and Shota, to become skilful thieves. Together with their grandmother, they form a poor but loving family, living in a run-down area on the outskirts of Tokyo. After a successful spate of thefts from various grocery stores on a cold winter’s day, Osamu comes across a half-frozen, abandoned girl. Without the slightest moment of hesitation, he brings the girl with him. Soon, Juri has become an integral member of the family when suddenly the almost perfect idyll is interrupted by a single incident which sets off an avalanche of dark secrets being brought to light... The new film by Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda skilfully questions which qualities ultimately make “family” – a well deserved winner of Cannes' Palme d'Or.