Nobody Knows

2004, Drama, 2h 21m

94 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Tragic and haunting, a beautifully heart-wrenching portrait of child abandonment. Read critic reviews

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Nobody Knows Photos

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Movie Info

Preteen Akira Fukushima (Yûya Yagira) and his young siblings have been abandoned by their mother, Keiko (You). Keiko, who has moved in with a new lover, has left Akira in charge of his brother, two sisters and a whole apartment, with little money and food to see them through. Akira and the other children, who were never enrolled in school, struggle to survive without basic amenities as they cope with a strange, solitary existence in a Tokyo apartment building.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Some Sexual References|Mature Thematic Elements)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    Japanese
  • Director:
    Hirokazu Koreeda
  • Producer:
    Hirokazu Koreeda
  • Writer:
    Hirokazu Koreeda
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $683.6K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    IFC Films
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR

Cast & Crew

Yûya Yagira
Chounan
Ayu Kitaura
Kyoko
Hiei Kimura
Shigeru
Momoko Shimizu
Yuki
Hanae Kan
Saki
You
Keiko, the mother
Susumu Terajima
Baseball coach
Takako Tate
Mini-market teller
Hirokazu Koreeda
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Writer
Hirokazu Koreeda
Producer
Hirokazu Koreeda
Film Editing
Yurika Yamasaki
Cinematographer
Gontiti
Original Music
Shigenobu Yutaka
Executive Producer
Toshiro Uratani
Associate Producer
Toshihiro Isomi
Production Design
Keiko Mitsumatsu
Production Design
Yutaka Tsurumaki
Sound
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News & Interviews for Nobody Knows

12 Unique Depictions of Tokyo in the Movies
Trailer Bulletin: Little Man
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics 2005 Awards
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Critic Reviews for Nobody Knows

All Critics (94) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (87) | Rotten (7)
Full Review… David Parkinson Empire Magazine Full Review… Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel Full Review… Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Full Review… Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press Full Review… Chris Vognar Dallas Morning News Full Review… Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Full Review… David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Full Review… Tom Dawson The List Full Review… Catherine Graham Santa Cruz Sentinel Full Review… Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Full Review… Bruce Feld Film Journal International Full Review… Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
View All Critic Reviews (94)

Audience Reviews for Nobody Knows

  • Feb 06, 2012
    Wow! A story of abandonment. This answers the question of what would happen if four kids were left alone with a bit of pocket money and little else. Disturbing.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 13, 2009
    "Nobody Knows" is painful to watch. It's a story you won't shake off, it's from the most defenseless of humans -- children, trapped in growing poverty and abandonment. It has not any action or exciting moments, but I was totally perplex during the two hours of the movie...cause of the superb performances of the adorable children, who were all really natural and likable. You just feel for them and wonder how their mother could have done such a thing with them. You see the contrast between the courage, maturity and innocence of children, and the selfishness of adults. The real documentary style of filming allows viewers to see things from the eye of the children... My vote? 5 stars and some tears.
    Daisy M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 08, 2008
    A blistering story that reminds us that child neglect is a tragic plague that exists beyond the boundaries of our culture. Despite the film being a bit lengthy and unfocused, these characters are so genuine, authentic, and universal that you often forget you are watching a scripted foreign film.
    Richard F Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2007
    Absolutely essential viewing. Slow, subtle and sublime. Wonderfully shot and written the story unravels at a calm pace building up to a devastating climax. Incredible performances from the youths make this a painfully naturalistic and at the same time heartwarming film about family, friendship and responsibility.
    Luke B Super Reviewer
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