ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Kore-eda's 'Sheep in the Box' Explores Grief Through AI in Near-Future Japan

other · 2026-08-16

Hirokazu Kore-eda, a Japanese filmmaker celebrated for his family-centric narratives, ventures into science fiction with 'Sheep in the Box', set to debut in Italian cinemas on August 27, courtesy of Lucky Red and BIM Distribuzione. The film, which is part of the Competition lineup at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, centers on a couple, portrayed by Haruka Ayase and Daigo Yamamoto, who cope with their grief by adopting an android that resembles their late son. Kore-eda delves into themes of loss and emotional reliance on AI, steering clear of both optimistic and dystopian interpretations. While some draw parallels to Spielberg's 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' and 'Black Mirror', Kore-eda prioritizes emotional depth over visual effects. He previously secured the Palme d'Or for 'Shoplifters' (2018) and is set to adapt Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga for his upcoming project, 'Look Back', at the Venice Film Festival.

Key facts

  • Hirokazu Kore-eda's new film 'Sheep in the Box' is set in near-future Japan.
  • The film stars Haruka Ayase and Daigo Yamamoto as grieving parents who adopt an android resembling their dead son.
  • It was presented in Competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
  • Italian release date: August 27, distributed by Lucky Red and BIM Distribuzione.
  • Kore-eda was inspired by companies developing AI to recreate deceased people digitally.
  • The film explores grief, parenthood, and emotional dependency on technology.
  • Kore-eda previously won the Palme d'Or for 'Shoplifters' in 2018.
  • His next film 'Look Back', based on Fujimoto Tatsuki's manga, is expected at the Venice Film Festival.
  • The film avoids both enthusiasm and alarmism about AI, focusing on human emotions.
  • Comparisons are made to 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' and 'Black Mirror'.

Entities

Artists

  • Hirokazu Kore-eda
  • Haruka Ayase
  • Daigo Yamamoto
  • Steven Spielberg
  • Fujimoto Tatsuki

Institutions

  • Lucky Red
  • BIM Distribuzione
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • Venice Film Festival
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Japan
  • Nerima City
  • Italy

Sources