Hirokazu Kore-eda’s AI Family Drama ‘Sheep in the Box’ Earns 3.5-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s near-future drama “Sheep in the Box,” in which a grieving couple welcomes a state-of-the-art humanoid as their son, premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday to a 3.5-minute standing ovation. Kore-eda earned warm but not sustained applause after the credits rolled, with the ovation lasting 3.5 minutes until the director asked for the mic. One of the most enthusiastic applauders was James Franco, who was on his feet as soon as the film ended and kept up his ovation till the very end.The film marks Kore-eda’s return to the Croisette for the first time since “Monster” won the Best Screenplay prize in 2023. Stars Ayase Haruka and Yamamoto Daigo play the couple at the center of the film, with Kuwaki Rimu as the infant humanoid who comes to live with them following the death of their son.