NOBODY KNOWS

Japan, 2004, 141 minutes, Colour.
Yagira Yuuya.
Directed by Kore- Eda Hirokazu.

Based on real events but fictionalized. Writer-director, Kore- Eda Hirokazu (Afterlife, Distance) has clearly been entranced by the story of four youngsters left by their mother in a flat in Tokyo and having to fend for themselves. So entranced is he that his film runs for just over two and a half hours, which seems a long time, a very long time, to tell their story which, on the whole and despite the harsh consequences of their mother's abandoning them, is comparatively uneventful.

It is the children themselves who make a vivid impression. Yagira Yuuya as the 12 year old Akira, the oldest of the four, gives a completely convincing performance and was given the Best Actor award in Cannes, 2004. The audience is totally focused on him, his accepting his difficult task with equanimity, although it finally begins to take its toll, his strong character, his love for his brother and sisters and his ingenuity in helping them survive for so long. The other children, a sister just younger than Akira (who also has a sense of responsibility), a raucous little brother and a five year old sister. On the whole, the children are very stoic, especially when their mother has concealed them from the landlord and they have been forbidden to leave the apartment.

The long running time does enable us to get to know the children extremely well and to care for them, wondering how they will cope (especially since their mother is a contradiction of love for them and care-less about them). It is all presented in a very naturalistic way, attention to small detail of day-to-day living and relying on the cumulative effect of this detail. It is also a tribute to human nature and the innate capacity of children like Akira to be selfless.

1. The impact of the film? Humanity? A slice of life, long portrait of characters, situations? The attention to detail?

2. The length of the film, its small subject, the impact of the length and detail?

3. The Tokyo setting, the apartment and so much of the film in this confined space? The interiors, exteriors, the shops and streets, the steps, the park, the river? The musical score?

4. The title - and the Porgy and Bess song "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've seen Feel"?

5. The film based on fact, fictionalised? Credible?

6. The portrait of the mother, the background of her life, the children and the different fathers, their absence? Her love for her children, going to work, the mystery of her work? The food, the gifts, her easy being with the children? Her discussion about the new man in her life? Her disappearance, the sudden return, the money? The phone calls? Her final disappearance, her lack of responsibility, wanting Akira to have the responsibility?

7. Their arrival at the apartment, the interview with the landlord, his wife and the dog? With only Akira, getting the cases into the room, unpacking, the children hidden in the cases? Kyoko and her being at the station, waiting? The mother laying down the rules, especially their staying within the apartment?

8. No school, yet Akira learning at home, teaching the others, the others having to learn, television, play? Their demand to be quiet, no tantrums? Their managing, obeying their mother, obeying Akira? The young ones having to stay inside for such a long time?

9. The portrait of Akira, twelve years old, wise for his age? His visit to his father, the discussions, his father's work, some money but no promise for the future? His relationship with his mother, love, her giving the responsibility to him? His love for each of the children? Cooking the meals, going shopping? Staying up to do his homework, waiting for his mother? In the shop, looking at the magazine, the kids planting food in his bag, the owner chasing him, the accusations, the girl testifying for his honesty, the manager's apology and gift of food? The later help from the girl? The men in the shop - and their coming out the back door to supply the children with extra sushi?

10. Akira and his management of the money, doing his sums? His care for his mother, the late meal? Her going, explanations, giving him the responsibility? Her not returning, the promise of Christmas gifts and not sending them? His buying gifts and wrapping money, getting the girl at the shop to write the notes of greeting in the place of their mother? Kyoko saving her money, the children wanting dolls and toys?

11. The meals, the food, Akira managing? His tenderness towards each of the children, playing with them?

12. The time passing, the electricity being cut off, the water being cut off? Their having to go to the park, Kyoko and her doing the washing? Finding the plants, setting up the pots? Watering them? The young boy wasting the water? Their getting dirtier, the clothes becoming ragged? Akira taking Yuki and the shoes, her squeaking? The landlady coming and seeing the children, the explanation of their being cousins, her wanting the rent?

13. The difficulties, the beginnings of tensions, Akira taking all the children out, their going to the park for the water, Kyoko doing the washing?

14. Akira meeting Saki, talking with her, the mystery about her not being at school, her coming home, playing with the children, becoming part of the family, explained as a cousin? The outings? Akira wanting to borrow money? Her going with the man to a karaoke bar, Akira's horrified reaction, breaking of with her, running away? The children missing her, her coming back later? Things getting desperate, their having no money, his trying to phone his mother - and not having enough money for the continued phone call?

15. The young boy, his playing and Akira rebuking him? Yuki standing on the chair, her fall, her death? Their all having to cope?

16. Using the suitcase to bury Yuki? Carrying her, going to the airport - with the story that their mother had about their father working in making planes? The grave, the burial?

17. The mother sending money at the last minute - the possibility of their survival? Their not wanting to go to a home and be separated, their wanting to stay together?

18. The portrait of Akira, at a difficult stage, his responding so well, responsibly? The family staying together? The mother and the possibility of her return or not? The future?