Four children are left to fend for themselves in a Tokyo apartment by their scatterbrained and selfish mother. Their well-being and survival depends on the oldest son, 12-year-old Akira.

Filmed over the course of a year, Koreeda’s heartbreaking study of childhood destroyed by neglect and societal indifference boasts superb naturalistic performances. Lead actor Yuya Yagira became the youngest-ever winner of the Best Actor award at Cannes.