Nobody Knows

Amazon.com

Nobody Knows, an extraordinary film from Japanese director Kore-Eda Hirokazu, is a heartbreaking and touching story about how selfish a single mother can be to her four children, and how resilient children can be. Kicked out of several apartments for her large brood, Keiko (Japanese pop star You) sneaks them in to a new one (two inside the suitcases) and goes over the house rules: No loud noises. They must stay hidden inside the apartment all day, every day. Only Akira, the oldest, leaves to do grocery shopping while she works. He also makes dinner while Keiko goes out on dates (implying to her children that she's looking for a rich husband so that they can all live in a big house together).

One day, Keiko (not a villain, but an unsympathetic, helium-voiced child herself) announces she's going away for a few weeks to work. She soon emerges every few months, only to drop off money before taking off again, at one point, for good. Akira forgoes any normal 12-year-old's upbringing (even school) to play mother, father, even Santa Claus to his siblings. There's a trapped feeling in Nobody Knows. For the younger kids, it's the inability to escape to the outside world. For Akira, it's seeing the outside world and knowing he has too many responsibilities to participate in it--when he tries, the results are disastrous. As the children grow up and resources become more scarce, the film's tenacity to show every painful detail of their existence slows the pace to almost a standstill. Still, it's a lovely, haunting tale beset with unforced performances from its young actors, particularly Yagira, who won the best actor prize at Cannes. -- Ellen A. Kim

Description

Based on true events that shocked Japan, this story of abandoned siblings is a "harrowing, tender film" (The New York Times) that "unfolds with leisurely beauty" (LA Weekly). Filmed over a year and featuring a performance by 12-year-old Yagira Yuya that won the Best Actor prize at the 2004 Cannes International Film Festival, this "haunting" (Newsday) tale is "heartbreakingly brilliant" (The Boston Globe). A childlike mother of four sneaks her children into their new apartment as if it were a game. One of the game's rules is that only Akira, the oldest, can go outside. Their mother leaves, first for a month, then possibly forever. As the money runs out and the utilities are shut off, Akira struggles to take care of his brother and sisters, determined that they stay safe and together.

Customer Reviews:

Different but rewarding.......2007-09-04

Thi film is slow and requires patience but it is beautifully and delicately directed, written and acted. A childish rather irritating woman selfishly abandons her kids to fend for themselves. The oldest is a 12 year old boy who then takes on responsibilities well beyond his years to help his siblings to survive and stay together. The actor portraying this boy gives a very nuanced performance. The film is in the style of almost like a documentary or reality show. It is not your normal Hollywood film and will be more appreciated by the discerning film watcher rather than someone wanting to watch something mainstream and escapist. The film also does not present any easy solutions to the problem nor does it try to.

Nobody Knows.......2007-07-23

A lyrical, heartbreaking story based on a scandal that shocked Japan, Kore-eda's "Nobody Knows" considers the precocious self-sufficiency of four children who band together to survive. Soulful young actor Yagira is a marvel as Akira, a kid who longs to live a normal childhood but shoulders the burden of caring for sister Kyoko (Kitaura), who handles house duties, and a toddler-age brother and sister. As conditions inside the apartment worsen, the children become more dishevelled, and their plight sadder. Kore-eda's use of natural light and wrenching images of toys gives all this pathos a poetic veneer. The result is a film of strange, disarming beauty that packs a wallop.

Get Your Heartstrings Ready For A Real Workout.......2007-05-08

This review refers to "Nobody Knows" DVD(MGM)

Well, if this film doesn't touch you deeply I don't know what will. It's a fictionalized account based on true events of four orphaned children in Toyko, trying to sustain themselves and live somewhat normal lives while trying to stay together. Get your heartstrings ready for a heavy workout.

A young mother with 2 boys and 2 girls ages 4 to 12, moves into an apartment and deceives the landlord into thinking it is just she and her 12 year son. Soon we meet the other 3 siblings and it doesn't take long before they all endear themselves to the audience. Mother,who although easy going with her children, sets down the rules which may never be broken. No noise, and other then Akira, the oldest boy, no one can ever go outside. As she leaves them each day to go to work, they follow the rules, Akira looking out for his younger siblings. But Mom, we soon learn is more childlike then the children themselves. Putting her own social life ahead of the kids, she leaves them for weeks, then again, never to return again.

As Akira tries to balance the budget, frugally using the money she left, and being caregiver to the family, the rest of the kids learn to make do with what they have. As time passes and we see little Yuki's crayons go from a fresh box to little pieces of color, survival becomes the objective. They stick to Mom's rules, but yearn to be like other kids. Just to go out and play, have a friend , go to school, would be a joy to them, but luxuries they can't afford for fear of getting caught and thrown out or separated. Their world falls to pieces, scrounging for food, loosing the use of basic utilities, we watch their gradual descent into depression as they live in filth, and their exaltation when they decide to break the "rules".

Everyone of these kids will find a place in your heart. You may feel like grabbing them up and taking them in yourself. I thought the children were portrayed wonderfully by the actors, and could feel all the very real emotions and fears each was feeling. Even the hapiness they felt at just the little extravagances, like getting to go out for a walk,celebrating a holiday, hitting a baseball, making a friend. Take a close up look at the image on the DVD cover, that face full of the joy of a short freedom will stay with you for quite a while.The extraordinary filming also gave a good look at their life and their surroundings.

The DVD is excellent. A beautiful widescreen picture with great color and sound. The language is Japanese(stereo surround, all you really need for this one) with optional English subtitles. The DVD automatically defaults to no subtitles, so you'll want to go into the language options and set that up before the starting the film, as right in the beginning there is a prologue in Japanese, and you'll want to read that. The end credits were in Japanese only. I would have liked to have some English credits, especially for the music which I loved as well.(the actors are listed on the back cover of the case)

It's a wonderfully intense story, and worth a couple of views at least.One that will stay with you for quite a while after the view. If you are looking for action and special effects, pass this one by. The only thing that kept me from going 5 stars was that I didn't feel closure at the end, and would have liked to have known more of what the future held for these marvelous children.

Enjoy....Laurie

Nobody Knows is a very sad movie........2007-05-05

Nobody Knows is a very moving and powerful movie. In Nobody Knows, four children, each with a different father, are abandoned by their mother with only $500 and their apartment. They try to live without further assistance while waiting for their mother to return. What is even more tragic about this movie is that the real life story that it is based on (The affair of the four abandoned children of Sugamo) was much more horrible.

It is very much like another very sad movie that I have watched, Grave of the Fireflies. They are both about children living in dire poverty without the aid of adults, both Japanese, both sad, and both based upon true stories, and neither has a happy ending. Even though this movie is painful to watch, I still reccomend it, as it is very well made and has a powerful (and I think important) message. People need each other's help to survive, and children are especially vulnerable. Be your brother's keeper; extend a helping hand to those in need.

Deeply Moving, Somber.......2007-05-01

This is the most poignant movie I've seen since Aronofsky's Requiem For A Dream. It is one that stays with the viewer long after watching it. I definitely do not recommend watching it if you are at all faint of heart. That said, this movie is altogether perfect and the performances by the child actors are all too real. Many viewers have faulted the ending for not having a resolution: I don't think this is significant and may have been the only realistic way the movie could end. There really could not have been any happy ending for this tragedy. This movie is worth owning as is another excellent Asian film: Quitting.

Average customer rating:

Great story plus great acting!
Garry Hixon on Nobody's Child
Marlo Thomas Shine's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inspirational!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody's Child
Starring: Karen Elizabeth Austin , Blanche Baker , Kathy Baker , Ray Baker , and Jackson Davies
Manufacturer: KOCH VISION
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0009NZ6OI
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Description

In an Emmy Award-winning role, Marlo Thomas portrays Marie Balter. Abandoned as an infant, Balter endures abuse and neglect by her foster parents. At age 17, doctors misdiagnose her severe panic disorder as schizophrenia, and she spends 20 years in a mental institution.

A heart wrenching true story of the survival of the human spirit, Nobody's Child journeys from tragedy to triumph as Balter ultimately builds a life, earns a masters degree from Harvard University, and opens her own clinic.

Customer Reviews:

Great story plus great acting!.......2006-12-17

I saw this a couple of weeks ago for the first time and LOVE this movie. Marlo Thomas is just great as the main character with mental illness and her story of bravery. It is just amazing how people with mental illness, especially back when this story takes place, are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and just plain mistreated. Even since this movie was made 20 years ago, some big strides have been made in understanding, diagnosing, and treating people with mental illnesses. Awesome story of bravery and overcoming.

Garry Hixon on Nobody's Child.......2005-11-27

This is the saddest movie I have ever seen, I wish it was on VHS though, but the price is right, snatch this up soon because it will be gone soon, it is a rarity, hello Marlo Thomas from Garry Hixon from That Show and Mirror Vision on NBC, hope to see you soon, love Anne Marie, i love you

Marlo Thomas Shine's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inspirational!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-06-23

Based on a true story and a book of the same title,Marlos Thomas(THAT GIRL) shine's, starring in her greatest serious acting role as Marie Balter,a true story based on the book of a mental patient for over 20 years who recovers becomes triumphant and functional.It's very inspirational especially for the mentally disabled and now it's finally on DVD!!Also check out another socially redeeming DVD by Koch Vision Entertainment "Stone Pillow" starring the late,great Lucille Ball in her last movie as a homeless bag lady who is unknowingly befriended by a social worker trying to reach her.Hopefully Koch Vision Entertainment will be able to release more of these great socially concientous and redeeming films on DVD in the distant and not so distant future!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Superb documentary!

Family Secrets: When Nobody's Looking
Director: Maureen Judge
Manufacturer: Title House e-Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Gold Medal Houston Film Festival
Honourable Mention Social Issues Doc. Short Columbus Film & Video Festival
Bronze Finalist Award 2003 Telly Awards
ALL REGION DVD

ASIN: B000RO75QQ

Product Description

From the outside looking in, author Donald D'Haenes childhood hardly seemed unconventional. He grew up in a patriarchal family with his mother, father and two siblings. Home life was strict and regimented, his father was clearly the master of the house. But as a devout Jehovahs Witness, this was hardly out of the ordinary. On the surface, Donalds youth would resonate with anyone raised in the slow-paced sanctity of a small town. Years later, Donald would reveal a sad tale of survival, struggle and strife in his book, A Fathers Touch, his memoirs about enduring years of sexual abuse at the hands of his father, subsequently retold in this documentary Family Secrets, When Nobodys Looking.

Customer Reviews:

Superb documentary!.......2007-06-20

This doc was moving, funny, original - a tough job when you are covering sexual abuse of children. It's also groundbreaking as I believe this is one of the first covering sexual abuse within a Jehovah's Witness family. I've also read the subject of the documentary's book, Father's Touch. Both are extraordinary. I can see this story as a movie actually. Highly recommended for everyone - victims, teachers, parents, police, lawyers - all who have a vested interest in this last taboo.

DVD:

DVD

DVD