Nobody Knows (2004 film)

Nobody Knows is a 2004 Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. It is loosely based on the 1988 abandonment case of the four Sugamo children in Tokyo. The film stars Yūya Yagira as Akira, the eldest child, who is forced to care for his younger siblings after their mother abandons them.

The film chronicles the struggles of Akira and his siblings, Kyōko, Shigeru, and Yuki, as they try to survive in their small Tokyo apartment, hiding their existence from their landlord and the outside world. Their mother, Keiko, provides minimal financial support, eventually disappearing entirely, leaving Akira responsible for everything. The film depicts their daily routines, their efforts to obtain food and maintain their home, and their eventual descent into poverty and isolation.

Nobody Knows is known for its realistic and understated portrayal of child neglect and poverty. Kore-eda employed a largely non-professional cast, and the film was shot over a period of several months, following the changing seasons to capture the passage of time and the children's increasing vulnerability.

The film was critically acclaimed, particularly for Yagira's performance, which earned him the Best Actor Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, making him the youngest actor to ever receive the award. Nobody Knows explores themes of family, responsibility, abandonment, and the resilience of children in the face of hardship. It is considered one of Kore-eda's most important and influential works.