Movies are nothing but a reflection of society. The directors always try to portray the social issues around them in a film. Such movies force the audience to think about the real problems around them. Let's see some such movies.
1. Shoplifters
Shoplifter is a Japanese film that got released in 2018. Hirokazu Koreeda directed the film, and it starred Mayu Matsuoka, Sakura Ando, Kirin Kiki, etc. The film's story revolves around a guy named Osamu. He rescues a little girl and later decides to adopt her. The film pointed out some serious issues in society. And it also portrayed how one can help make this earth a better place to live.
2. Close-Knit
Close-Knit is a Japanese movie that got released in 2017. Naoko Ogigami directed the film, and it starred Toma Ikuta, Rinka Kakihara, Mimura, etc. The film is about how society perceives a transgender woman. The story covers issues regarding the LGBTQ community and how people treat them. The movie is made specially from a Japanese perspective.
3. A Class To Remember
A Class to remember is a Japanese movie that got released in 1993. Yoji Yamada directed the film, and it starred Toshiyuki Nishida, Hiroshi Kanbe, Nae Yuki, etc. The story deals with the issue of discrimination on the grounds of race and color. It perfectly depicts how life always comes with second chances, and you can learn to live your life confidently in the right environment.
4. A Cappella
Mubansou is a Japanese film that got released in 2016. The film starred Riko Narumi, Nina Endo, Sosuke Ikematsu, etc. The film covers the issue of the LGBTQ community. It also shows the social changes happening in Japan during the 1960s.
5. Hafu
Hafu is a Japan-origin film that got released in 2013. Megumi Nishikura and Lara Perez Takagi directed the film, and it starred Sophia Fukunishi, Alex Oi, Fusae Miyako, etc. The film covers the issues of people who are not full Japanese. The film portrays the discrimination every half-Japanese faces.
6. Tokyo Sonata
Tokyo Sonata is a Japanese film that got released in 2008. Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed the film. And it starred Teruyuki Kagawa, Kai Inowaki, Yu Koyanagi, etc. The film covers the reality of being middle-class in Japan. It shows how everyone in the family struggles with their own thing but still keeps a smile on their face so that the family does not get tense.
7. Like Father Like Son
Like, Father Like, Son is an award-winning film released in 2008. Hirokazu Koreeda directed the film, and it starred Jessica Lucas, Portia Doubleday, Henri Lubatti, etc. The film covers the story of two kids and how they got exchanged with their biological parents in the hospital. The kids got raised in two different social spectrums. When the hospital admitted their mistake, the parents need to decide if they want to keep the child or exchange them for their biological son.
8. Nobody Knows
Nobody Knows is a Japanese film that got released in 2020. The award-winning director Hirokazu Koreeda directed the film. The film story covers one of the most sensitive issues in Japan. It showed how a mother left her four children alone in the apartment and never returned. The film was inspired by true events in Japan. However, the film received higher acclaim, and the actor even won the best actor award at Cannes.
9. Papa’s Lunchbox Is The Best In The World
The heart-warming Japanese film got released in 2017. The story challenges the stereotype in Japan, where a mother always packs lunch and fathers go to work. In the movie, a single father packs lunch every day for his daughter. The sweet gesture of the father used to embarrass the girl, but lately, she understood the love and commitment he sends with every packed lunch.
10. Our Little Sister
Our Little Sister is a Japanese film that got released in 2015. The film covers the story of three sisters. One day they meet their unknown half-sister when their father died. The sisters then discuss their relationship with their parents and how it impacted their personal lives.
