Nobody Knows (2005)

Japanese Drama - based on a true story. Mother abandons her 4 children to a small urban apartment not far from Tokyo. Occasionally checking in, sometimes sending them money,the kids are mostly left to fend for themselves in an adult world. Oldest boy is around 11 and hustles up free food from the local convenience store, the younger children stay home drawing with crayons or playing in their balcony-garden. Performances are very real here, the kids are just being kids. But the challenges they face are formidable, and it makes for an interesting watch. Everything in this movie is so very Japanese, except perhaps for the mom who is exceptionally delinquent. Long movie but very educational. 2 hrs. 21 min.