8. Our Little Sister
Hirokazu Koreeda is without a doubt one of the pre-eminent directors working in Japan today. With a strong background in documentaries, his films are consistently intriguing and heartfelt examinations of the human condition in all its nuanced glory. Having picked up the Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 he's back again with another film in competition this year, Our Little Sister. Starring Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho and Suzu Hirose, it details the lives of three sisters who are joined by another younger sister in the aftermath of their father's death. Expect naturalistic performances, beautifully precise direction and a probing analysis of what makes these characters tick. If you want a sneak peek then you could always check out Umimachi Diary, the manga upon which Our Little Sister is based.