Hirokazu Kore-eda

Date of Birth: June 6, 1962

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Hirokazu Kore-eda is a celebrated Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor known for his poignant storytelling and keen observations of human relationships. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kore-eda originally aimed to become a novelist but later shifted his focus to filmmaking after graduating from Waseda University in 1987. He began his career with TV Man Union, where he directed several documentaries that laid the groundwork for his future in feature films. Kore-eda’s breakthrough came with his debut feature film “Maborosi” (1995), which received critical acclaim and established him as a significant voice in contemporary cinema. Over the years, Kore-eda has directed a series of successful films, including “After Life” (1998), “Nobody Knows” (2004), “Still Walking” (2008), and “Like Father, Like Son” (2013). His 2018 film “Shoplifters” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, further cementing his status as a master filmmaker. Kore-eda is known for his naturalistic style, nuanced characters, and themes exploring family dynamics, memory, and social issues. He has garnered numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, making him one of Japan’s most esteemed directors.

5 Interesting Facts about Hirokazu Kore-eda

1. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film “Shoplifters” won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

2. Before becoming a filmmaker, Kore-eda worked as a television documentary director, which influenced his realistic and observational film style.

3. He has often been compared to legendary Japanese director Yasujirō Ozu for his focus on family and domestic life.

4. Kore-eda’s film “Like Father, Like Son” won the Jury Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and was later remade by Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks.

5. He directed his first non-Japanese film, “The Truth,” a French-language movie starring Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, and Ethan Hawke, released in 2019.