Special Feature: A Mini Retrospective on Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Film Highlight
- KUDU Studios
- December 19, 2025
For the first time, the acclaimed Japanese film director Hirokazu Kore-eda participated in a live film discussion with local & international filmmakers and audiences last week. This highly anticipated event, “Special Feature: A Mini Retrospective on Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Film,” represents an important cultural dialogue, marking the Palme d’Or winner’s first direct interaction with the film community in Cambodia.
This full-day event, held in conjunction with the Japanese Film Festival in Cambodia, was born from the ASEAN-Japan Film Programmers Workshop 2024. This initiative aims to strengthen the network of young film professionals across Southeast Asia and Japan through professional development and networking. The retrospective served as the capstone project for Mr. Chandara So, the first Cambodian participant to successfully complete the program’s Phase 1 training and networking workshop and Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan last year.
The Special Feature: A Mini Retrospective on Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Film was designed to bridge cultural gaps and increase local exposure to Japanese cinema, a genre often underrepresented in the Cambodian market.
The curated selection showcased the director’s range, featuring his celebrated works such as the Palme d’Or-winning “Shoplifters,” the family drama “Still Walking,” and his latest acclaimed film, “Monster.” These screenings allowed local audiences to witness Mr. Kore-eda’s signature ability to find profound beauty and complexity in the quiet moments of everyday family life.
Film Talk Event: The atmosphere reached a peak during this session, marking a milestone for the local cinephile. Despite being physically distanced due to a production schedule conflict, the esteemed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda joined the event via a live online connection to share numerous key insights into his films. To make it even more fruitful, the conversation was enriched by other film talk speakers, including internationally recognized French-Cambodian film director and producer, Mr.Davy Chou, Japanese film programmer Mr.Tamaki Tsuchida from Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, the very prestigious documentary festival in Asia and the world, and young talented Cambodian filmmaker Mr.Darung Mony. Together with Chandara So as moderator, these speakers shared their diverse experiences and engaged directly with Mr. Hirokazu Kore-eda, creating a profound exchange that resonated deeply with the audience. This session received immense engagement and positive feedback from the audience.
Japanese Film Night: The day concluded with a vibrant networking event on the red carpet. The venue buzzed with conversation as audiences talked over drinks and snacks, leaving the venue satisfied with the experience.
Empowering Local Curation
While the films were the main attraction, the success of the event emphasized the importance of professional curation. Chandara So reflected on how the ASEAN-Japan Film Programmers Workshop made this possible:
"The ASEAN-Japan Film Programmer Workshop was a major opportunity to improve my film programmation skills. Cambodia's film community is small and lacks experienced programmers. With Japanese cinema having deep roots, I was keen to explore their cinema and learn the expertise needed to curate professional, international-standard events. I will apply this directly to the Cambodian landscape to help cultivate a more vibrant and professional local film culture and events."
Impact and Reflection
The day represented a valuable opportunity, contributing positively to the idea of film as a means for cultural dialogue in Cambodia. By moving beyond simple screenings to include expert talks and networking opportunities, the retrospective provided a complete and professional cinematic experience.
To Learn More about ASEAN-Japan Film Programmers and Curators Project
Cambodian youths interested in film curation, festival management, and international cultural exchange are strongly encouraged to follow the ASEAN-Japan Film Programmers and Curators Project and future opportunities emerging from this vital network.
Program Details:
The Initiative is part of the larger “Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0” by the Japan Foundation.
Learn More: https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/culture/media/asean/index.html
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