

Movie spotlight
Children
Virtually without exception, a relation between parents and children is something that affects us throughout our lives. The first fiction film by award-winning documentarist Jaro Vojtek is an omnibus film about complicated relationships between parents and their children in which characters are challenged with long-term separation or declining health. Four stories titled Son, Marathon, Canary and Father tell four different tales that form a single view on the troubled relationship between parents and children. Each story takes place in a different season and together they create a multi-layered mosaic of relations reflecting hopes, disappointments and inevitable decisions. With a documentary filmmaker’s precision, Vojtek observes the characters and their behaviour, presenting an authentic picture of damaged family relations.
Insights
Plot Summary
A successful architect discovers that his 6-year-old son was switched at birth with another baby. He and his wife must grapple with this revelation and decide whether to raise the child they believed was theirs or to embrace the biological son they never knew. The film explores themes of nature vs. nurture and the definition of family.
Critical Reception
Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Like Father, Like Son' (original Japanese title: 'Soshite Chichi ni Naru', literally 'And Then Father Becomes Father') was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its sensitive direction, compelling performances, and nuanced exploration of family and identity. It resonated deeply with both critics and audiences for its emotional depth and thought-provoking narrative.
What Reviewers Say
A poignant and deeply moving exploration of fatherhood and the meaning of family.
Masterful performances, particularly from Masaharu Fukuyama, anchor the film's emotional weight.
Kore-eda's subtle direction and humanist approach create a universally relatable and thought-provoking drama.
Google audience: Google users widely praised the film for its emotional impact, thought-provoking themes about family and upbringing, and excellent acting. Many found it to be a beautiful and touching story that sparks important discussions about what truly defines a parent-child bond.
Awards & Accolades
Winner of the Jury Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Golden Globe Awards and the 86th Academy Awards.
Fun Fact
Director Hirokazu Kore-eda initially conceived of the film as a documentary but found the fictional narrative allowed for a more profound exploration of the themes.
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