Shoplifters
万引き家族
"Sometimes you choose your family."
Overview
"Shoplifters" follows a makeshift family living on the fringes of Tokyo society. Osamu, the patriarch, and his son, Shota, are skilled shoplifters who use a system of hand signals. One freezing night, they find a young girl named Yuri alone on a balcony and decide to take her in. Despite their poverty, the family, which also includes Osamu's wife Nobuyo, her younger sister Aki, and the grandmother Hatsue, provides Yuri with a level of care she was missing from her abusive parents.
As Yuri, renamed Lin, becomes part of their unconventional family and learns their ways of survival, including shoplifting, underlying tensions and secrets begin to surface. Shota starts to question the morality of their actions, especially as he grows protective of Lin. The family's fragile existence is threatened when a series of events, starting with Shota's deliberate act of getting caught, leads to their discovery by the authorities. This unravels their carefully constructed world and forces them to confront the truth about their relationships and the crimes that bind them.
Core Meaning
"Shoplifters" explores the profound question of what constitutes a family. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda challenges the conventional notion that family is solely defined by blood ties, suggesting that chosen families, born out of necessity and genuine affection, can be just as, if not more, valid. The film delves into the complexities of love, morality, and survival on the margins of society. It raises questions about whether a loving, albeit criminal, environment can be better for a child than an abusive biological home. Ultimately, the film suggests that the bonds forged through shared experience and mutual care are what truly define a family, even if those bonds are unrecognized and ultimately broken by society.
Thematic DNA
The Nature of Family
The central theme of "Shoplifters" is the exploration of what defines a family. The film presents a "chosen family" of unrelated individuals who have formed a stronger, more loving bond than their biological families. Kore-eda contrasts this with the neglect and abuse Yuri suffers at the hands of her birth parents. The film repeatedly questions whether blood ties are a prerequisite for familial love and responsibility, suggesting that shared experiences and mutual support are more significant.
Poverty and Survival
The film provides a stark depiction of poverty in modern Japan and the desperate measures people take to survive. Shoplifting is not portrayed as an act of greed but as a necessary means of survival for a family living on the fringes of society. The family's cramped and cluttered home serves as a visual representation of their economic hardship. The film highlights the systemic issues that contribute to poverty and how it can lead to a cycle of crime.
Morality and Crime
"Shoplifters" presents a nuanced and ambiguous exploration of morality. The family's criminal activities, particularly shoplifting, are portrayed not as inherently evil but as a product of their circumstances. Osamu justifies their actions by claiming they are only stealing things that haven't been sold yet. However, the film also shows the moral toll these actions take, especially on the children. Shota's growing unease and eventual decision to get caught highlights the internal conflict between survival and a developing sense of right and wrong.
Secrets and Lies
The family's relationships are built on a foundation of secrets and lies. Each member is hiding a painful past, and their very existence as a family is a secret they must keep from the outside world. These secrets are gradually revealed throughout the film, leading to a dramatic unraveling of their lives. The film explores how secrets can both bind people together and ultimately tear them apart.
Character Analysis
Osamu Shibata
Lily Franky
Motivation
Osamu is motivated by a desire to provide for his family and create a sense of belonging for himself and the other outcasts he has gathered. He seems to be trying to build the family he never had, even if it's through unconventional and illegal means.
Character Arc
Osamu begins as a charming, roguish patriarch who justifies his criminal lifestyle. He desperately wants Shota to call him "father" but struggles to be a conventional role model. His arc culminates in the painful admission that he cannot be a father to Shota any longer, and in that moment of letting go, he arguably becomes one for the first time.
Nobuyo Shibata
Sakura Ando
Motivation
Nobuyo is driven by a profound desire to be a mother and to protect the vulnerable, particularly Yuri, from the kind of suffering she has experienced. Her motivations are rooted in a deep-seated maternal instinct that has been denied a conventional outlet.
Character Arc
Initially hesitant to take in Yuri, Nobuyo develops a deep maternal bond with her, fueled by her own inability to have children and her past trauma. Her arc is one of embracing a motherhood that transcends biology. Her final, tearful confession to the police, where she takes the blame to protect Osamu, is a testament to her fierce love for her chosen family.
Shota Shibata
Kairi Jo
Motivation
Shota is initially motivated by a desire to please Osamu and be a part of the family. As the film progresses, his motivation shifts to protecting Yuri and seeking a life free from the guilt and uncertainty of their criminal activities.
Character Arc
Shota starts as Osamu's willing accomplice in shoplifting. However, as he grows older and befriends Yuri, he begins to develop a moral conscience and question their way of life. His decision to intentionally get caught is a pivotal act of rebellion and a desperate attempt to protect Yuri and break the cycle. He finally acknowledges Osamu as his father at the very end, but from a distance, signifying a complex and bittersweet resolution.
Hatsue Shibata
Kirin Kiki
Motivation
Hatsue is primarily motivated by a fear of loneliness and a desire for companionship in her final years. She is willing to overlook the family's flaws and even participate in their deceptions in order to maintain a sense of belonging and not die alone.
Character Arc
Hatsue is the owner of the house and the glue that holds the family together. While she appears to be a benevolent grandmother, it's revealed that she has her own selfish motivations, such as collecting her deceased husband's pension and receiving money from Aki's parents. However, she also expresses genuine contentment and a desire not to die alone, suggesting a complex mix of self-interest and a need for connection.
Symbols & Motifs
Shoplifting Hand Signals
The hand signals Osamu and Shota use to communicate while shoplifting symbolize their unique bond and the secret language of their makeshift family. It represents a skill passed down from a "father" to a "son" in a world where conventional forms of inheritance are absent.
These signals are used in the opening scene and throughout the first half of the film, establishing the family's primary means of survival. The teaching of these signals to Yuri signifies her integration into the family.
The Beach Scene
The family's trip to the beach represents a fleeting moment of pure happiness and freedom from their difficult lives. It's a rare instance where they can behave like a "normal" family, away from the prying eyes of society. The vastness of the ocean contrasts with their cramped living space, symbolizing a sense of possibility and escape.
This idyllic scene occurs in the middle of the film, serving as a poignant memory before their world begins to fall apart. Hatsue's quiet observation of her family during this scene is particularly moving, as she expresses her contentment.
Fireworks
The fireworks, which the family can only hear and see glimpses of from their crowded home, symbolize the mainstream society and celebrations from which they are excluded. It highlights their marginalization and their status as outsiders looking in.
There is a scene where the family gathers to listen to the fireworks they cannot fully see. This moment of shared, albeit incomplete, joy underscores their unity in isolation.
Yuri's Scars
The scars on Yuri's body are a physical manifestation of the abuse and neglect she has endured from her biological parents. They symbolize the hidden traumas that each member of the Shibata family carries. When Nobuyo shows Yuri her own similar scars, it creates a powerful bond of shared suffering and understanding between them.
The family discovers Yuri's scars shortly after taking her in, solidifying their decision to keep her. Nobuyo's gesture of showing her own scars is a key moment of connection and empathy.
Memorable Quotes
Giving birth alone doesn't make you a mother.
— Nobuyo Shibata
Context:
This line is spoken during Nobuyo's interrogation by the police after the family has been discovered. It is a powerful defiance of the societal norms that would condemn her for "kidnapping" Yuri while validating the real motherly love she provided.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates the film's central theme, challenging the primacy of biological ties in defining parenthood. Nobuyo asserts that motherhood is about love, care, and action, not just the physical act of childbirth.
Sometimes it's better to choose your own family.
— Nobuyo Shibata
Context:
Nobuyo says this to Osamu, reflecting on their decision to keep Yuri and the bond that has formed between them all. It's a moment of quiet affirmation of their unconventional family unit.
Meaning:
This quote directly states one of the film's core messages. It suggests that the families we choose can be more supportive and loving than the ones we are born into, especially when biological families are dysfunctional or abusive.
I can't teach him anything else but shoplifting.
— Osamu Shibata
Context:
Osamu says this to the police during his interrogation, expressing a mix of resignation and regret about his role in Shota's life. It highlights the tragedy of his situation and the limited opportunities available to him.
Meaning:
This quote reveals Osamu's deep-seated feelings of inadequacy and his awareness of his limitations as a father figure. It's a poignant admission that the only skill he can pass on to Shota is one that puts him at odds with society.
お父さん...
— Shota Shibata
Context:
As the bus carrying Shota away from Osamu pulls away, Shota looks back and quietly utters this word. Osamu, running after the bus, doesn't hear him, which adds to the scene's bittersweet poignancy.
Meaning:
In English: "Dad...". This single word, spoken at the end of the film, is the culmination of Shota's emotional journey. Throughout the movie, he refuses to call Osamu "father," but in this final moment, as he leaves, he acknowledges the bond they shared, even though their time together is over.
Philosophical Questions
What truly defines a family?
The film's primary philosophical question revolves around the definition of family. It consistently juxtaposes the cold, neglectful, or exploitative nature of biological ties with the warmth, love, and support found within the chosen Shibata family. Through characters like Nobuyo, who argues that giving birth is not the sole determinant of motherhood, the film forces the audience to consider whether the bonds forged by choice and shared experience are more legitimate than those determined by blood.
Is it moral to commit a crime to survive?
"Shoplifters" delves into the moral complexities of crime born from necessity. The film doesn't glorify the family's illegal activities, but it presents them with empathy, as a direct result of poverty and social marginalization. It asks the viewer to consider whether societal systems that fail to provide for their most vulnerable citizens are not, in themselves, a greater injustice. The film avoids easy answers, instead portraying the moral gray areas that people living in desperate circumstances must navigate.
Can love flourish in a foundation of lies?
The Shibata family is built on a web of secrets and illegal acts, from pension fraud to kidnapping. Despite this, genuine love and affection are evident among its members. The film explores whether authentic emotional connections can be sustained within a framework of deceit. Ultimately, the external pressures of society and the law shatter their world, suggesting that while such love can exist, it remains incredibly fragile and vulnerable when built outside societal norms.
Alternative Interpretations
While the film is largely seen as a critique of societal structures and a celebration of chosen family, there are alternative readings.
- A Darker Take on the Family: Some interpretations focus more on the selfish motivations of the adult characters. Osamu and Nobuyo could be seen as using the children to fulfill their own emotional needs, and Hatsue is explicitly shown to be financially exploiting Aki's family. This reading suggests that the family is not purely altruistic but a complex web of mutual, and sometimes parasitic, dependencies.
- Shota's Intentionality: The reason for Shota getting caught can be debated. While it appears to be an act of moral rebellion to save Yuri, it could also be interpreted as a subconscious desire to escape a life that he knows is unsustainable, or even an act of jealousy now that he has to share his parents' attention.
- The Ambiguous Ending: The final shot of Yuri looking out from her balcony is open to interpretation. Is she wistfully remembering her time with the Shibatas, or has she spotted something or someone that gives a glimmer of hope? Her expression is unreadable, leaving the audience to ponder her ultimate fate and the lasting impact of her time with the family.
Cultural Impact
"Shoplifters" achieved significant critical acclaim globally, culminating in its Palme d'Or win at Cannes, which brought renewed international attention to contemporary Japanese cinema. The film sparked a national conversation in Japan about poverty, social safety nets, and the definition of family. Some conservative voices in Japan criticized the film for portraying the country in a negative light, particularly for focusing on crime and poverty. However, many praised Kore-eda for shedding light on the "invisible people" of Japanese society. The film draws on the tradition of Japanese family dramas, particularly the work of Yasujirō Ozu, though Kore-eda himself has noted a closer affinity with filmmakers like Ken Loach who focus on social realism. "Shoplifters" resonated with audiences worldwide for its universal themes of love, loss, and the human need for connection, proving that a story deeply rooted in a specific culture can have a profound and widespread impact.
Audience Reception
Audiences largely responded positively to "Shoplifters," praising its emotional depth, powerful performances, and thought-provoking themes. Many viewers were deeply moved by the film's portrayal of the unconventional family and found themselves empathizing with the characters despite their flaws and criminal activities. The naturalistic performances, especially from the child actors, were frequently highlighted as a major strength. The main points of criticism, particularly from some quarters in Japan, were that the film presented a bleak and unfairly negative picture of Japanese society. Some viewers also found the slow, observational pace challenging. However, the overwhelming consensus was that "Shoplifters" is a masterful and heart-wrenching piece of cinema that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
Interesting Facts
- The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, the first Japanese film to do so in 21 years.
- Director Hirokazu Kore-eda was inspired to write the story after learning about the Japanese recession and reports of families illegally receiving pensions of deceased parents and teaching their children to shoplift.
- This was one of the last films to feature veteran actress Kirin Kiki, who passed away in September 2018.
- The child actors, Miyu Sasaki and Kairi Jo, were praised for their naturalistic and moving performances.
- Kore-eda often doesn't give child actors full scripts, instead feeding them lines on the day of shooting to elicit more spontaneous performances.
- The cramped house the family lives in was a set built to reflect the poverty and intimacy of their lives.
- The scene where Miyu Sasaki (Yuri/Lin) loses a tooth was a happy accident that Kore-eda incorporated into the script.
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