It is a narrative about sorrow and how the protagonists are able to cope with it and move forward.

This was one of Murakami’s stories that did not have supernatural elements. In an interview he said, “Basically when we talk about Haruki Murakami’s novels or short stories, they take place somewhere in the intermediary area between reality and fantasy…So, in terms of the film, this calls not only for potential budgetary issues but in terms of depicting the story, it could actually potentially be very difficult”. Hamaguchi was aware of the potential difficulties that may arise when he was asked to adapt a Murakami story. Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Award at the 71st Berlinale. Hamaguchi’s recent films, including Asako I and II (2018) and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) too have received international praise. It scooped up Oscar nominations in four categories this year - Best Picture, Best International Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay. The CFCA (Chicago Film Critics Association Awards) named it the Best Foreign Language Film of 2021. It continues to win accolades, taking home four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the Boston Society of Film Critics’ 42nd annual meeting. This film appears to have piqued the interest of the international film audience. Recently, well-known Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi adapted Murakami’s Drive My Car, a short story from his collection titled Men Without Women (2014).ĭrive My Car bagged the Best Screenplay Award (Ryûsuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe) and the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Award at Cannes last year. Tony Takitani and Burning are based on short stories, while Norwegian Wood is adapted from a novel. Tony Takitani (2004), Norwegian Wood (2010), and Burning (2018) are among the works that have been adapted. This could be one of the major reasons for them not being adapted to films. Most of his works are based on magic realism.

His works have been translated from Japanese into more than 50 languages. Haruki Murakami’s stories have fascinated readers for decades now.

Haruki murakami drive my car book