‘It’s just a film about grief and love’, says director of Japan’s first Oscar contender

Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Yûsuke Kafuku, an actor and director, who finds solace in his chauffeur, Misaki Watari, played by Tôko Miura, in Drive My Car. Photograph: Janus Films

When Parasite won the Oscar for best picture in 2020, it was seen as long-overdue recognition of the mastery of South Korean cinema.

Bong Joon-ho’s dark comedy about two families at opposite ends of the country’s social spectrum was the first non-English language production in the 94-year history of the Academy Awards to win in the category.