Nobody Knows

A deeply troubled single mother, overwhelmed by her difficult circumstances, abandons her four young children, leaving them to fend for themselves in their small Tokyo apartment. The eldest son, Akira, takes on the immense responsibility of caring for his younger siblings, navigating their daily lives and protecting their secret from the outside world. As their isolation deepens and resources dwindle, the children's innocence is tested by the harsh realities of survival.

Nobody Knows received critical acclaim for its sensitive and poignant portrayal of childhood resilience and the devastating impact of parental neglect. Critics lauded its subtle storytelling and powerful performances, particularly from the young cast. The film was praised for its emotional depth and unflinching examination of difficult themes.

• A heartbreaking and masterfully crafted drama about abandonment and survival.

• Features stunning performances from its young cast, carrying the emotional weight of the film.

• Explores themes of innocence lost and the burden of responsibility with profound sensitivity.

Google audience: Audiences were deeply moved by the film's emotional resonance and the compelling performances of the child actors. Many praised its realistic portrayal of hardship and the resilience of the human spirit, though some found the subject matter challenging.

Screened in competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Actor Award for Yûya Yagira.

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda was inspired to make the film after reading a news article about a real-life case of child neglect in Japan known as the 'Affair of the Four Abandoned Children'.