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IFFR KINO

IFFR KINO #38: Nobody Knows (2004)

Hoezo in KINO

We’re back with a new season of IFFR KINO! And what better film to kick off with than the sadly COVID-postponed Nobody Knows. Kore-eda Hirokazu’s craftsmanship as a storyteller and director all come together in this film, which for us, can be regarded as his best film (followed by Like Father, Like Son (2013)) and definitely should have earned him the Palme d’Or back in 2004, fourteen years prior to Shoplifters (2018).

Credits

Regie
Hirokazu Kore-Eda
Cast
Yûya Yagira, Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura
Genre
drama
Speelduur
141 minutes
Land
Japan
Taal
Japanese
Ondertiteling
English

Storyline

Nobody Knows is one of our IFFR favourites! The story, which is based on true events, almost entirely takes place in a tiny Tokyo apartment and yet keeps the viewer interested in the heartbreaking story and very small world of these abandoned children. This tragic story never becomes melodramatic, the director has a subtle way in showing (not telling) us the story, and yet the viewer can also feel the critical tone towards Japanese society as well. And of course, you can’t talk about this film without mentioning the beautiful performances by the child actors, all of whom were non-professionals. The performance by Yūya Yagira as the eldest son, Akira, won him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.