Society

Japanese director among Cannes top prize nominees

Jun 04 (NHK) - Japanese Director Hamaguchi Ryusuke's "Drive My Car" has been nominated for the Cannes Film Festival's top prize.

"Drive My Car" is among this year's lineup of 24 films announced on Thursday by organizers of the 74th edition of the event, which is one of the world's top three film festivals.

It is a story of an actor who is depressed by the death of his wife. The man, who doubles as a director, gradually comes to terms with the wife's secret as he spends time with a female chauffeur.

The film, adapted from a 2013 novel by Murakami Haruki, stars Japanese actor Nishijima Hidetoshi as protagonist.

It was Hamaguchi's second nomination for the Palme d'Or, following "Asako I & II" in 2018.

Organizers canceled the annual festival last year because of the pandemic, and rescheduled this year's event from May to July in an effort to welcome more visitors.

Prize-winners will be announced on the final day, July 17.

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