Oscar Watch: Shoplifters

Back in May, the Japanese family drama Shoplifters took Cannes by storm and won the Palme d’Or (the festival’s top prize). It comes from director Hirokazu Kore’eda and five years earlier, his pic Like Father, Like Son won the jury prize at the same festival.

Japan has unsurprisingly picked Shoplifters as its official selection for Academy consideration. Based on the Cannes love, it stands an excellent shot at making the final five. It’s likely to face serious competition from Roma (the odds on favorite), Cold War, Sunset, and others which will be discussed on here in short order.

Bottom line: pencil Shoplifters in for inclusion come nominations time. My Oscar Watch posts will continue…