Japanese director Hiroshi Kore-eda has come into the spotlight at the Venice Film Festival with his new work 'Remember', which tells the story of two school friends who aspire to become manga artists. This film, inspired by a popular story by Tatsuki Fujimoto, came to Kore-eda during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic, and he stumbled upon it by chance. The director, who has won multiple awards for his works such as 'Shoplifters', says: 'After reading this manga, it felt like someone pushed me forward and encouraged me.'
The Power of Friendship and the Impact of Manga
International critics at the Venice Film Festival have reacted positively to this film, placing 'Remember' alongside notable works such as 'Possible Love' by Lee Chang-dong and 'The Banshees of Inisherin' by Martin McDonagh. Variety magazine described the film as 'an emotional tribute to friendship', while IndieWire referred to it as a work with 'rich and brilliant textures'. However, some critics believe that this work is overly emotional and sentimental.
In total, ۲۱ works are competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival, and more works are expected to be introduced before the awards ceremony on Saturday.
Kore-eda's Future Outlook
Kore-eda, by choosing the commercially successful work of Fujimoto, whose other works including 'Chainsaw Man' and 'Firefighter' have also gained global popularity, is looking to capitalize on the growing global interest in manga. He said at a press conference: 'When I was a kid, we were told that if we only read manga, we wouldn’t grow up properly. But now, manga has spread everywhere, and we can enjoy it without criticism.'
Kore-eda, who remains active and prolific at the age of ۶۴, enjoys high popularity in the circle of European festivals. He previously showcased the film 'Sheep in a Box' at the Cannes Film Festival, which tells the story of a grieving couple who bring a humanoid robot into their home, but returned home without receiving any awards on the night of the awards.
This director, referring to his future works, says: 'Usually in my mind, I prepare for about three films simultaneously.' He is known for his stories about ordinary and struggling people, and his works such as 'Like Father, Like Son' and 'Nobody Knows' are inspired by real events.
