Japan's cinematic prowess is on full display at Cannes this year, with a stellar lineup of films that showcase the country's diverse and dynamic film industry. The buzz surrounding three of Japan's previous Cannes successes is particularly exciting. Hirokazu Kore-eda, the Palme d'Or winner for 'Shoplifters', returns with 'Sheep in the Box', a film that delves into the complexities of family and friendship. Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, who won the Best Screenplay award in 2021 for 'Drive My Car', presents 'All of a Sudden', a French co-production that explores similar themes. Koji Fukada, who received the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize in 2016 for 'Harmonium', competes with 'Nagi Notes', another film that delves into the intricacies of human relationships. These films not only showcase the technical prowess of Japanese cinema but also its ability to tackle profound themes with depth and sensitivity.
However, Japan's presence at Cannes goes beyond these three films. The country is also looking ahead, with the Japan Goes to Cannes night at the Marché du Film presenting five in-production projects that speak to the strength and diversity of contemporary Japanese cinema. Among them is 'Look Back', Kore-eda's next film, which is currently in post-production. The story of how he came to adapt the manga into a film is particularly intriguing. Kore-eda's impulsive decision to read the entire manga in one sitting and his raw, urgent sense of determination from the work as a creator showcase his passion and dedication to the project. The film's popularity is evident, with high expectations for the casting of the two much-loved central characters, and the hope that the actors will be announced in Cannes.
Another notable film in the lineup is 'The Gate of Murder', a thriller from Ko Kanai, known for popular TV dramas. The film follows a man haunted by a childhood acquaintance he blames for all his misfortunes, who begins plotting the man's death. The bullishness in Japan's film industry is well-founded, with the country's box office revenues soaring 32 percent to $1.79 billion in 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic record. Production numbers are also at an all-time high, with 694 Japanese films released in 2025, beating the previous record. Local titles dominated the box office, with the anime monster hit 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Part 1' leading the way, followed by the kabuki epic 'Kokuho' and 'Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback'.
The Goes to Cannes lineup reflects this momentum, with a diverse range of films that showcase the country's animated content, mystery-drama, and coming-of-age stories. 'You, Fireworks, and Our Promise', an animated film from Shin-Ei Animation and SynergySP, follows a high school boy who discovers a drawing of fireworks bearing his name and a future date, only for the girl carrying it to vanish, replaced by her identical-looking great-grandmother from the past. The film explores universal ideas of memory, time, and the way emotions can be shared across generations, with a focus on the ordinary and the imaginative existing naturally side by side. Shin-Ei Animation has previously developed a global fan base for productions such as 'Doraemon' and 'Crayon Shinchan', and the producer emphasizes the importance of everyday life in their animated content.
'All That Exists', a mystery-drama from Takahisa Zeze, is another notable film in the lineup. The film follows a journalist haunted by a twin kidnapping case, who is drawn back into the mystery 30 years later, following the death of the detective who worked it, and into the orbit of a strange realist painter. The final film in the lineup is 'Lives at Right Angles', from Syoutarou Kobayashi, which follows a janitor with autism spectrum disorder who faces an uncertain future alone after his sister gets married. The opportunity to present these films at Cannes carries real weight, not only in terms of exposure but also in how they connect with the international film community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese cinema.
