Nobody Knows (2004)

Nobody Knows (誰も知らない, Dare mo Shiranai) is a 2004 Japanese drama film based on the 1988 event known as the "Affair of the four abandoned children of Sugamo". The film is directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, and it stars actors Yūya Yagira, Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura.

Nobody Knows tells the story of four children: Akira, Kyōko, Shigeru and Yuki, who are aged between five and twelve years old. They are half-siblings, with each of them having different fathers. Because three of the children are in the apartment illegally, they cannot go outside or be seen in the apartment, and do not attend school. Their mother leaves them alone for weeks, and finally does not return; they were forced to survive on their own. Over time, they can only rely on each other to face the multiple challenges in front of them.

Nobody Knows was first shown at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 2004. It was subsequently released in Japanese cinemas on 7 August 2004. The film was well received by critics, and it grossed over US$2 million worldwide. It won several awards such as the Best Actor at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, and the Best Film and Best Director awards at the 47th Hochi Film Awards.

Synopsis

Nobody Knows tells the story of four siblings and their young mother who move into a small apartment in Tokyo. The film begins when the family is moving into a small rented apartment. Only the eldest, Akira is known to the landlord, while Shigeru and Yuki hide in separate luggage. The elder sister, Kyōko, comes separately by train. All the children have different fathers. They are not allowed to go to school or to be seen by others, and only Akira is allowed to go outside. Yet, the family seems to be happy.

Actors