The era in which anything can be recreated using artificial intelligence is fast approaching. Renowned Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda felt a mild unease about the rapidly advancing technology. That feeling came after he read an article about a growing number of companies in China using AI to recreate the deceased in order to ease the pain of loss. He began to question whether such a situation was acceptable – and that led to his new film, "Sheep in the Box" (Hako no Naka no Hitsuji, 箱の中の羊).

The film’s creation began with an ethical question.

"It all started with an ethical issue: is it permissible to use and "resurrect" the dead as one wishes, solely for one's own peace of mind? I understand the desire to see the departed again. But I thought that if we give in to such technology, the process of true healing from grief would stop," said Hirokazu Koreeda.

"Sheep in the Box" tells the story of a married couple, Otone (Ayase Haruka) and Kensuke (Daigo).

The couple lost their son in an accident two years ago and are still deep in grief. They turn to a service called "Revival", which recreates the dead in humanoid form, and take into their family a robot – a humanoid (Kuwaki Rimu) that resembles their son.

For Ayase Haruka and Daigo, of the comedy duo Chidori, this marks their first time as leads on the big screen. The role of both the child and the humanoid robot created in his image went to 10-year-old Kuwaki Rimu, who beat out more than 200 competitors at the audition.

The wish to see a loved one again is something everyone understands. Director Koreeda, who experienced the sudden loss of his own father, also knows deep grief. "When I saw the article about the company that brings back the dead, I remembered something I never got to tell my father. I understand the desire to use technology to resurrect the dead."

But Koreeda stressed: "I believe the dead belong with the dead. I began to wonder whether such technology was created out of human selfishness. Even if we use technology, we have to draw the line at some point."

With that in mind, he also changed the film's ending from its original version. The couple, Otone and Kensuke, confused and trying to comfort themselves with a humanoid being that looks like their son, make a choice.

Kuwaki Rimu's performance, as the director intended, was both human and unsettling, evoking a sense of unease.

Kuwaki said: "The director didn't give me any specific instructions on how to play a robot. He told me to just be myself, so I played the part by trying to be myself."

The image of the "little sheep in a box" refers back to "The Little Prince" and the famous scene where the Little Prince asks the author to draw him a sheep:

"I drew.

He looked at my drawing carefully, then he said:

- No. This sheep is already very sickly. Make me another.

So I made another drawing. My friend smiled gently and indulgently.

- You see yourself, he said, that this is not a sheep. This is a ram. It has horns.

So then I did my drawing over once more. But it was rejected too, just like the others.

- This one is too old. I want a sheep that will live a long time.

By this time my patience was exhausted, because I was in a hurry to start taking my engine apart. So I tossed off this drawing. And I threw out an explanation with it.

- This is only his box. The sheep you asked for is inside.

I was very surprised to see a light break over the face of my young judge:

- That is exactly the way I wanted it! Do you think that this sheep will have to have a great deal of grass?"

It is often said that the sheep in the box symbolises that what is most important cannot be seen with the eyes. To "see" the sheep, you don't need a drawing – you need faith and imagination. The Little Prince, unlike adults who demand precise numbers and facts, is willing to accept the invisible on faith.

It will be interesting to see how Hirokazu Koreeda twists this symbol in his own story.

The film premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, held in May 2026.

The director's next film is titled "Look back". Based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, it tells the story of two girls passionate about drawing. After "Look back", he will move on to produce an English-language film starring actor Eddie Redmayne.

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