Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest film, "Sheep in a Box," received a standing ovation after its official screening at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 16 [1].
The screening marks a significant moment for the production as it competes in the festival's prestigious competition section. This placement makes the film a candidate for the Palme d'Or, the festival's highest honor [2].
Attendees witnessed a standing ovation that lasted between nine and 10 minutes [3, 4]. The event took place before an audience of approximately 2,300 people [4]. The film stars Haruka Ayase, Daigo of the comedy duo Chidori, and child actor Rimu Kuwaki [1].
Ayase noted the distinct nature of the international audience's response compared to Japanese viewers. "Laughter occurred here during the screening, and the reactions were different from those in Japan, which felt very fresh," Ayase said.
Daigo expressed surprise at the scale of the reception, noting he had never experienced such a long ovation. "Nine minutes, nearly 10 minutes; I have never clapped for that long or received it, and I have never seen people reluctantly stopping their standing ovation," Daigo said. He added that the director should embrace the moment, saying, "If you can get it, take it."
The film's official debut in France serves as a primary benchmark for its critical reception before a wider release. Kore-eda, a frequent presence at the festival, continues to bring Japanese narratives to a global stage through the competition category [2].
“The reactions were different from those in Japan, which felt very fresh”
The length of the standing ovation, reaching nearly 10 minutes, suggests a strong emotional resonance with the international jury and critics. In the context of the Cannes Film Festival, such a visceral reaction often signals a strong contender for major awards, potentially increasing the film's global distribution value and critical prestige upon its release in Japan.
