Just went to see Nobody Knows, the latest film from Kore-Eda, a Japanese director whose best known film is Afterlife. This is the best film I've seen this year by a long shot, and I would recommend you see it if it comes to your city. It is a psychological portrait of four children trying to get by after their mother abandons them (each has a different father), based on a true story. The cinematography is beautiful and unlike nearly every film made in Hollywood since the inception of film, the kids act like kids. He does this in part by letting the kids improvise rather than writing a script.

If you are not familiar with Kore-Eda I would suggest watching any or all of his films: Moborosi, After Life, Distance, Nobody Knows. After Life is by far the most accessible, Distance the least. All films are slow, quiet and extremely emotionally restrained, but very very powerful.

About Nobody Knows: nytimes.com en=277df2a44d6967a2& ei=5083& partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes

About making of Nobody Knows: midnighteye.com