Inspired by an infamous true story that made headlines in Japan in 1988, this tough yet tender film follows the lives of four children left to fend for themselves by their wayward mother. Having smuggled her family into a new apartment under the landlord’s nose, mum Keiko puts her 12-year-old son Akira (Yagira) in charge of the youngsters and - after a brief period of relative family harmony - disappears. Akira manages his younger siblings as best he can, but limited means and the cramped confines of the apartment force this unorthodox family unit to re-shape their narrow existence to suit their physical and emotional needs. Contains child abandonment theme and moderate sex references.