Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu brings 'Sheep in the Box' to Cannes, a film that questions AI's role in human emotion through a family adopting an android resembling their deceased son.
AI and Humanity: A Dual Exploration
Ayase Haruka and Yamamoto Daigo star as Otone and Kensuke, who struggle with the presence of an android (Kuwaki Rimu) designed to resemble their late son, Kakeru. Kore-eda told Variety, "To think about AI is to think about humanity." His earlier work, 'Air Doll,' also explored human and non-human dynamics, but with 'Sheep in the Box,' the focus extends to the deceased.
Inspiration from Real Life
Kore-eda was inspired by a Chinese business that digitally resurrects people by using their data. He shared, "I understand people who regret not having communicated enough. At the same time, it’s ethically precarious for the living to use the dead for their convenience. The ultimate question was this: Who do the dead belong to?"
The Family's Architectural Sandbox
The family's home is a key element of the film, serving as both a literal and metaphorical 'box.' Kore-eda, who learned about architecture from an industry professional, reflected, "If you look at wooden architecture from a different perspective — it’s a forest. I felt there were a lot of possibilities there."
Child Actors and Unsettling Realism
Known for drawing authentic performances from child actors, Kore-eda auditioned 200 boys for the role. He noted, "Rimu is such a free soul. Sometimes he would have so much fun that, just like the humanoid in the film, it’s like his switch is flipped, and he starts sleeping." This duality in Rimu's performance intrigued Kore-eda, who observed, "For every mother, there’s a moment when they look at their child and think: This child is a different creature from myself."
Cultural Reflection and AI's Future
'Sheep in the Box' also touches on the different cultural perceptions of AI. Kore-eda explained, "In the West, it’s negatively associated with dystopia, whereas in the East, it’s about co-existence between human and non-human." He believes AI will eventually transcend humanity, forming their own communities. This narrative parallels the natural cycle of children outgrowing their parents, likening it to a forest's growth.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sheep-in-the-box-kore-eda-hirokazu-1236738394/
