In Tokyo, single mother Keiko moves into a small apartment with her children—Akira, Shigeru, Yuki, and later Kyoko. Each child has a different father and no formal schooling, but they live happily together. Keiko abandons them for a new boyfriend, leaving Akira in charge with little money. As their funds run out, Akira struggles to keep them alive without utilities while facing eviction.
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This film hits even harder knowing it's based on the real-life 1988 Sugamo child abandonment case. It begins when the younger siblings are smuggled into a new flat, hidden in suitcases. Feel free to appreciate the innocence of the children and curse the terrible, immature mother. And even though it breaks your heart to see the eldest child being too mature beyond his years, stay with the film until the very end. This film brings even deeper emotional shock because of the warm, sun-drenched mise-en-scène where the pure, innocent children live in is starkly juxtaposed with the harrowing reality of the story. What makes the emotional impact even more devastating is the contrast: the warm, sun-drenched mise-en-scène where the pure, innocent children live starkly juxtaposed with the harrowing reality of their story. There's no need for dramatic acting or swelling music. The raw realism alone wears you down. As adults, we're left standing in a place of helplessness—the reality of being unable to do anything. And that guilt and sorrow lingers, even 20 years on. The raw performances and the unvarnished and realistic camera angles are brutal. The reality of these children is deeply unstable and tragic, and the calm, peaceful ambience and music makes everything feel even more cruel. (LEE Jung-hyun | J Special: Programmer of the Year)
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NK CONTENTS | windy@d-station.co.kr
KORE-EDA Hirokazu
