Manbiki Kazoku -

The film (released internationally as Shoplifters ) is a widely acclaimed 2018 Japanese drama directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda . It famously won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards . Plot Overview

: The family discovers a young girl named Yuri (or Rin) shivering in the cold. After noticing signs of physical abuse, they decide to "adopt" her rather than return her to her biological parents. Manbiki kazoku

The story follows a makeshift family of social outcasts living in a cramped home on the outskirts of Tokyo. They survive through a combination of low-wage work and a "pyramid scheme" of petty crimes, primarily shoplifting . The film (released internationally as Shoplifters ) is

: The audience is put in a position of empathizing with characters who are technically kidnappers and thieves, forcing a choice between legal morality and human compassion . Performances and Style After noticing signs of physical abuse, they decide

“What a beautiful film. Not a real family, but in some ways nicer and more caring than blood relatives.” Godalming Film Society

: The film’s tone shifts dramatically in the final act. An unforeseen incident leads the police to uncover the family’s secrets, revealing that their bonds are based on shared trauma and mutual benefit rather than blood . Critical Themes

: Described as giving a "sublime" and "breathtaking" performance, particularly in a raw interrogation scene.