The work of Hiroshi Shimizu is little-known even in his native Japan. Throughout his career, he often focused on children and their issues, as in this charming tale of two young brothers whose circumstances change when their father is arrested for embezzlement.

Younger brother Sampei is sent to stay with his uncle while his mother looks for work, but tries to escape and return home at every opportunity. Somehow, the boys retain their innocence and sense of wonder in a world of adult problems.

This film is screening as part of our season, Cinema of Childhood (April 12th – 20th). 

Show your ticket for Mark Cousins’ A Story of Children and Film to IFI Box Office staff to claim discounted concession rates for tickets to any Cinema of Childhood Season films in April: €6.90 (instead of €8.60)/IFI Members: €5.40 (instead of €6.90).