DIRECTOR

Kore-eda Hirokazu "Shoplifters"

CREW

Cinematographer: Kore-eda Hirokazu, Katsuhiko Suzuki

#koreeda

Film Festivals & Awards

ATP Prize 1992 - Distinction Award

Duration/Release

47min. / Broadcast in Japan: May 28, 1991

Synopsis

In 1988, Ina Elementary School adopted a cow named Laura from a ranch as a part of the school’s integrated learning program. Students learn from building the cow’s barn, calculating the feed cost and debating in class for making decisions. Capturing the kids’ lively expressions, the documentary witnesses their growth through the care of Laura. Kore-eda’s first project, mostly rolling a video camera by himself.

Introduction

Kore-eda started his career as a TV director in 1987.　The introducing three programs were directed for TV documentary series NONFIX in 1991 and 1992, works at the age of 29 and 30. Kore-eda himself speaks that these documentaries had been his starting point of his creatives. “However…” and “Where Has All the Pollution Gone?” show his keen sense of observation over societal issues. In “Lessons from a Calf”, we see children through the eyes of Kore-eda, showing the influence to his later filmography well-known for the style of filming child actors.　Available only for theatrical rights.