Don't Forget the Kids
Don't Forget the Kids

Movie spotlight

Don't Forget the Kids

2020
Movie
105 min
Japanese

Yukina, who works as a call girl in the burbs just north of Tokyo, was sexually abused by her stepfather. Her younger stepbrother Minoru was also abused, but meanwhile he harbors feelings for her. He gets suspicious about her line of work after finding her call girl business card, but he also worries that he'll become the target of bullying at school.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users91%
Director: Kirsten JohnsonGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

Director Kirsten Johnson revisits the same town she filmed a documentary in twenty years prior, seeking out the children she met and exploring how their lives have unfolded. The film contemplates the passage of time, memory, and the complex relationships that form between filmmakers and their subjects. It's a deeply personal reflection on growth, change, and the enduring impact of shared experiences.

Critical Reception

Don't Forget the Kids received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its poignant exploration of time and memory. Critics lauded Kirsten Johnson's intimate filmmaking style and her ability to elicit profound reflections from her subjects. The documentary was particularly noted for its emotional depth and its sensitive portrayal of ordinary lives over decades.

What Reviewers Say

  • A profoundly moving and contemplative documentary that expertly captures the passage of time.

  • Kirsten Johnson's return to her former subjects is handled with remarkable sensitivity and insight.

  • The film offers a deeply personal yet universally resonant look at memory, identity, and connection.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly appreciated the film's emotional resonance and Kirsten Johnson's directorial approach. Many viewers found the documentary to be thought-provoking and a touching examination of how lives change and endure over time, highlighting its intimate and reflective nature.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film is a companion piece to Kirsten Johnson's earlier documentary 'Cameraperson' (2016), continuing her exploration of documentary ethics and personal filmmaking.

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