I've interviewed the director Hirokazu Koreeda several times over the years since we first met at a preview screening of his otherworldly drama "After Life" ("Wonderful Life," 1999). Then and now his answers to even often-asked questions are always thoughtful and considered.
Yes, he is publicizing his film of the moment, but he's also interested in having a dialogue, not just regurgitating talking points. That puts more pressure on the interviewer to come in with more than a question list.
When I met him last month at the office of his distributor, Gaga, the subject was his new film "After the Storm" ("Umi Yorimo Mada Fukaku"), a selection for the Un Certain Regard section of this year's Cannes Film Festival. Similar to his universally acclaimed 2008 film "Still Walking" ("Aruitemo Aruitemo"), "After the Storm" is about a troubled family, with Koreeda favorites Kirin Kiki and Hiroshi Abe again playing mother and son, respectively.