Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda Reflects on New Release and Collaborations
Director Hirokazu Kore-eda has shared his thoughts on his upcoming film, ‘The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,’ and his connection with actor Kang Dong-won, with whom he previously worked on ‘Broker.’ Kore-eda noted that he recently saw a preview of Kang Dong-won’s new film, ‘1947 Boston,’ and commented on the actor’s enduring youthful appearance.
‘The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,’ set to premiere on the 10th, tells the story of a 7-year-old transgender child named Shion who becomes part of a family after filling in for a deceased child. The narrative explores themes of joy in finding a new family and the anxiety of potentially being abandoned again. This marks Kore-eda’s latest directorial effort, following his acclaimed works such as ‘Like Father, Like Son,’ ‘Our Little Sister,’ ‘Shoplifters,’ and ‘Broker.’
Kore-eda Addresses AI Debate in Filmmaking
The ongoing discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in Hollywood, particularly concerning generative AI’s applications, copyright issues, and actor likeness rights, has also been a topic of discussion for Kore-eda. He acknowledged the growing sentiment against AI use in the industry, with concerns that it could displace actors’ jobs.
However, Kore-eda also recognized the practical considerations of AI, stating, “Considering cost-effectiveness and efficiency, I believe many tasks currently performed by humans will be handed over to AI.” He pointed to the increasing use of AI in South Korea and Japan for various tasks, including filmmaking. “Even on film sets, the same is happening,” he observed.
Kore-eda expressed a concern that an overreliance on AI could lead to a homogenization of films, diminishing their appeal. “For example, when filming a car scene, if we use a studio set and composite the background, and if we see many such films, viewers will quickly realize, ‘That scene was shot in a studio,'” he explained. “From the perspective of safety and efficiency, shooting in a studio might be logical, but as a creator, it raises questions.”
Reflections on Past Projects and Future Endeavors
Reflecting on his previous work, Kore-eda recalled his experience on the 2022 film ‘Broker,’ which featured a notable cast including Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won, Bae Doona, IU, and Lee Joo-young.
He shared an anecdote from Bae Doona, who expressed a desire to feel the wind while filming a car scene. Kore-eda agreed with this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of authentic sensory experiences in filmmaking.
When discussing his simultaneous releases with Kang Dong-won in Korea, Kore-eda reiterated his recent encounter with the preview for ‘1947 Boston.’ “I was filled with longing and a desire to meet him again,” he said. “Kang Dong-won truly looks as young as ever.”
Looking ahead, Kore-eda revealed plans for his next project, tentatively titled ‘Look Back,’ which is scheduled for release in the fall, assuming production proceeds smoothly. “This film has already been fully shot,” he confirmed. His subsequent project is slated to be filmed in the United States. While a planned project set in Asia, encompassing South Korea, China, and Japan, has not been abandoned, it is likely to be revisited at a later date. Kore-eda concluded by expressing his hope for continued audience anticipation for his work.
