Kikujiro (1999)
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Country: Japan
Storyline:
Brash, loudmouthed and optimistic, Kikujiro hardly seems the ideal companion for little Masao, who is determined to travel long distances to meet his mother, whom he has never met. The journey of the unlikely pair soon turns out to be a whimsical story of laughter and heartbreak, with a wide array of surprises and odd ball characters met along the way. The story is based on the childhood experiences of Kitano and his father.
Moving (1993)
Director: Shinji Somai
Country: Japan
Storyline:
Sixth grader Renko is unperturbed by her parents' decision to separate. With the companionship of her boyfriend Minoru, and Sally, a classmate whose parents have also gone different ways, Renko gradually realizes the practical implications of a divorce and tries repeatedly and desperately to get her parents to reconcile. When she continues to fail at her attempt, an old man teaches her about the need to forget the past and look towards the future.
