In Hirokazu Kore-eda’s newest film, “Sheep in the Box,” a grieving couple seeks solace through technology after the tragic loss of their child. The film opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, and it tells the story of a couple who commission a humanoid replica of their deceased son. Drawing inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince,” Kore-eda uses the metaphor of a sheep imagined inside a box to highlight the intangible connections that sustain us.

Set in the near future, this family drama premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Kore-eda revealed to The Associated Press that the film examines the couple’s attempts to redefine their relationship with their child, a theme present in his previous works. Kore-eda, born in Tokyo in 1962, transitioned from documentary filmmaking to feature films after graduating from Waseda University. His dedication to writing, directing, and editing his projects grants him almost complete creative control.

His body of work includes the 2013 film “Like Father, Like Son,” which explores fatherhood through a narrative about babies switched at birth. This film earned the Jury Prize at Cannes. His 2018 film “Shoplifters,” awarded the Palme d’Or and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, portrays a family’s struggle with poverty and their reliance on shoplifting.

In 2019, Kore-eda directed “The Truth,” featuring Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche. For “Broker” in 2022, he guided Korean actors such as Song Kang-ho, who won Best Actor at Cannes. Despite the challenges film production presents, Kore-eda is known for fostering a respectful and enjoyable working environment. He actively opposes industry harassment, insisting on immediate dismissal for perpetrators during his films.

This humane approach is notable in a sector marked by long hours and low pay, especially in Japan. Kore-eda’s films often feature children prominently, such as in the 2004 film “Nobody Knows,” where unsupervised children navigate life without basic necessities. Yuya Yagira, who starred as a child in that film, won Best Actor at Cannes at the age of 14 and continues to thrive as an actor.

“Sheep in the Box” showcases Rimu Kuwaki’s impressive debut as an actor, playing a robot. Kore-eda denies intentionally using children as a primary element in storytelling, instead expressing a preference for exploring adult themes through a child’s lens. He acknowledges the responsibility of interacting with children and the potential impact on their perspective of adults.

Kore-eda expressed his desire for children to view adults as diligent and joyful.

Kore-eda is refreshingly cheerful for a director whose films often tackle heavy topics. He is easygoing and readily engaged in conversation. When asked a question previously directed at renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa—”What is filmmaking for you?”—Kore-eda humorously imitated Kurosawa’s response before sharing his own.

“Movies are the only hobby I’ve ever had,” Kore-eda explained. “They became my job. This hobby evolving into my life and career is a blessing.”

Yuri Kageyama’s work can be followed on Threads at: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama