Netflix teams up with Hirokazu Kore-eda to develop multiple projects

On Nov 10 JST, Netflix announced working with Japan's top filmmaker, Hirokazu Koreeda (Shoplifters, 2018) to develop two projects - a film and a series - to expand its live-action lineup from Japan.

Koreeda won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for the film "Shoplifters" in 2018 as the first Japanese director in 21 years to achieve this. His comments from the video message are below:

Netflix and I are teaming up to create a drama series and a big-budget movie that is different from my previous works. You still need to wait for a bit before they're finished and delivered to you. I incorporate different elements from those in theater movies and try to create exciting works. Please look forward to them.

Probably, the scale of the new movie will be different from the movies I've made before. Also, the drama series would not be realized if I didn't collaborate with Netflix.

I'm not the only director working on the drama right now, I'm responsible for the chief direction as the showrunner, and direct several episodes by myself, but this time I try to incorporate young directors and work with them. This is also a big appeal for me to work on this project.

Realistically, radical films normally have little chance of being screened in theaters. In the end, they would not be seen by the audience. It's not just in Japan but in every country. Through streaming, these films can be actually born into the world. I think it's important.

Take American films, for example. These are streaming films winning the Oscars including documentaries. And the amount is growing. By breaking old boundaries and limitations, there are chances to give birth to new creators and new works. It's definitely a stage for that. I think it's a very positive situation.

Netflix's next big bet is expanding its local feature films lineup. Given Japan is home to extraordinary talent who shape the cinematic history of the world, Netflix will work with a diverse roster of creators including the ones we work with today. We hope to play a role in the history of great local talent finding their voices and delivering them to audiences everywhere, from Japan to the world.