Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda has returned with a new film, ‘Sheep in the Box’, which tells the emotional story of parents trying to cope with the loss of their young son.

According to an AP report from Tokyo yesterday, the film is set in the near future, where the couple creates an AI-powered robot that looks and behaves like their child.

As they spend time with the robot, they begin to question whether technology can really fill the space left by a loved one.Speaking about the film, Kore eda said he wanted to explore how families deal with grief and how technology could affect human relationships.

While the movie includes futuristic elements, its main focus is on emotions, love and family bonds.The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and is now releasing in U.S. theatres.

Kore-eda, known for emotional family dramas like ‘Shoplifters’, also said he believes children should have a positive and enjoyable experience while working on film sets.