Who would have thought that a film acted in by mostly kids would be this great? While watching this film, I somehow forgot these kids are acting. They are so natural, so real, that I am willing even to think that this is a documentary.
The characterizations are great, ranging from a responsible older brother Akira torn between his obligations and his intense desire to be just a normal young boy to the quiet second child Kyoko who looks wistfully at other young women, her eyes conveying that longing to be 'just like her'.
Yagura Yuuya deserved his Best Actor award at Cannes. The film fell heavily on his 14-year-old shoulders, and he turned out a winning performance. This ranks at the top of my favorite films.
The characterizations are great, ranging from a responsible older brother Akira torn between his obligations and his intense desire to be just a normal young boy to the quiet second child Kyoko who looks wistfully at other young women, her eyes conveying that longing to be 'just like her'.
Yagura Yuuya deserved his Best Actor award at Cannes. The film fell heavily on his 14-year-old shoulders, and he turned out a winning performance. This ranks at the top of my favorite films.