Hirokazu Kore-eda has always had a distinctive style of film-making. More than others he loves the static shot, where action often takes place outside the frame; movement in and out of the frame of reference is common while the camera does not move. That's why his movies are sometimes perceived as slow and unevolving.
The same with storytelling: a significant part of the story takes place outside the story on screen. And even in a scene the whole scene is never completely obvious: We often have to fill in the details. The effect requires much attention from the viewer, but can also be very interesting or downright shocking.
All his movies also seem to restrict the space where the movie plays out. Repetitive shots in Dare mo shiranai / Nobody Knows of the shopping street, the stairs, the home, etc. seem to strengthen this notion, in order to tell how restricted the world is for the children portrayed. This is further enhanced by the element of time: Time becomes less important throughout the movie as the mother's visits become less and less predictable (the use of the seasons contradicts this in a way).
In communication between actors much emphasis is laid on non-verbal communication, which is superbly done here. (In Distance this went even so far that the story was almost completely told in this way).
Conclusion: Dare mo shiranai/ Nobody Knows is a rewarding movie, but for patient viewers only.
The same with storytelling: a significant part of the story takes place outside the story on screen. And even in a scene the whole scene is never completely obvious: We often have to fill in the details. The effect requires much attention from the viewer, but can also be very interesting or downright shocking.
All his movies also seem to restrict the space where the movie plays out. Repetitive shots in Dare mo shiranai / Nobody Knows of the shopping street, the stairs, the home, etc. seem to strengthen this notion, in order to tell how restricted the world is for the children portrayed. This is further enhanced by the element of time: Time becomes less important throughout the movie as the mother's visits become less and less predictable (the use of the seasons contradicts this in a way).
In communication between actors much emphasis is laid on non-verbal communication, which is superbly done here. (In Distance this went even so far that the story was almost completely told in this way).
Conclusion: Dare mo shiranai/ Nobody Knows is a rewarding movie, but for patient viewers only.