A manga film adaptation by acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda has emerged as one of the frontrunners for prizes at the Venice Film Festival this week.
"Look Back" by the arthouse director, whose past work includes the 2018 award-winner "Shoplifters," tells the story of two school friends who dream of becoming manga artists.
The tender coming-of-age tale is based on a popular story by Tatsuki Fujimoto, which manga-loving Kore-eda discovered by accident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"After reading this manga, it was as if someone had pushed me to move forward, had somehow encouraged me," the director told reporters on Monday.
Judged by the reviews of international critics at the festival, "Look Back" has emerged as a favorite alongside "Possible Love" by Korea's Lee Chang-dong and "Wild Horse Nine" by Irish-British director Martin McDonagh.
