万引き家族
"Sometimes you choose your family."
Shoplifters - Symbolism & Philosophy
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.
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.
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.