Like Father, Like Son

And I’m going to be a father

Synopsis: Ryota has earned himself an impeccable education, a good job, and a good family. One day, however, he discovers that his son, whom he has carefully raised for six years, has been mistaken for someone else’s child in the hospital. Each family struggles with the conflict of whether it is blood or the time they have spent together. ……

Kore-eda’s films are not overloaded with information. There is no explanatory dialogue, and the film is told through the characters’ facial expressions, eye contact, and pauses. Many Japanese films today are directed in such a way that they are easy for the audience to watch. Many of them have a lot of explanatory dialogues and do not give the audience room to think about the theme of the film because the answer is already given. In contrast, the theme of this film, “Father and Child,” “Husband and Wife,” and “Family,” is presented with a minimum of dialogue and direction. Many films that win awards at film festivals around the world leave the intention of the film to the audience. Kore-eda’s films are no different. This is why Kore-eda’s films are so highly regarded around the world.