Film - Nobody Knows

Spent Chinese New Year's eve watching this Japanese movie titled "Nobody Knows". Was introduced to this movie by the Social Work module's lecturer. The film was inspired by a real-life event known as the "Affair of the Four Abandoned Children of Nishi-Sugamo" which happened in 1988. The director wanted to show others the life of those involved in this event, not seen from an outsider's point of view but as somebody within.

The story is about a single, un-wed mother with 4 children aged 4 to 12, each fathered by a different man. They moved into a new apartment, and since the landlords did not approve of young children in the flat, they not only had to smuggle 2 of the youngest ones in but the mother also set rules restricting the children to the flats. Despite the restrictions, the family is a happy one, with love and mutual understanding. However, the mother eventually left them because of her need for a relationship with men, leaving the children to fend for themselves. The story revolves around the 4 children and how the oldest child tries his best to take care of everyone, even as the money they have runs out. The movie is titled such because amazingly, their condition remains unknown to even their neighbours as a result of the rules that they follow quite religiously. It is a story of courage, family love, a child's desperation and determination to survive. It is also the reflection of some of those in society.

The movie was filmed over a year in order to capture the children's actual physical growth. A really heart-wrenching story that left me in tears. Try watching it if you have the time. Can be found at crunchyroll.com.

Read the synopsis of the story and other details here.

It's way better than watching CNY countdown on TV. Heh.