Japan's 'Drive My Car' stokes 'Parasite'-esque Oscar buzz

Adaptation of Haruki Murakami story wins top critic awards and Golden Globe

Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" won the Golden Globe for best non-English-language film. (Photo courtesy of Drive My Car Production Committee)

SHIGEKI KOGA, Nikkei senior staff writer

January 13, 2022 10:44 JST

TOKYO -- Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" has emerged as a leading contender in the Oscars race, with a key bellwether award going to the quiet Japanese film about a theater director grieving his wife and a female chauffeur driving his cherished Saab.