Nobody Knows

Japan   d/ H Koreeda

A feckless mother abandons her four children in a small apartment, leaving them under the care of her twelve year old boy. He does the best he can but it's too much responsibility for such a youngster. The money runs out and they are forced to fend for themselves...with nasty consequences.

Film was done in a stark, realistic style, using fixed and mobile camera. It presents a view of contemporary Japanese society somewhat at odds with the clean, efficient image commonly held. The kids were isolated completely from society...the busy indifference of the crowds in which they moved became painful to watch. They wanted to go to school but were forbidden to leave the apartment.

HK's handling of the child actors was as good as you'll ever see. The lead boy, who was only 12 at the time of filming was enormously sympathetic...with an expressive face and sad, knowing eyes. This is one of the all-time great films about children...on a par with Forbidden Games and Ponette and Treeless Mountain.

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