Manbiki Kazoku (Shoplifters)
2018
*****
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka, Kairi Jō, Miyu Sasaki, Kirin Kiki, Sosuke Ikematsu, Naoto Ogata, Yoko Moriguchi, Aju Makita, Yūki Yamada, Moemi Katayama
A ragtag Japanese family live on the margins of society and make ends meet by collecting the aging matriarch's pension, working odd jobs, and committing petty thefts. They jeopardise their delicately controlled existence when they decide to take in an abused and neglected young girl. Hirokazu Kore-eda's drama is a wonderfully warm and compassionate portrayal of a family. The gut-wrenching revelations in the last third force the audience and the characters to ponder the true meaning of family. The performances are just great.
