Our Little Sister
dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda · 2015
Life is about the connections we build with others and the importance of family, even in the face of loss and change.
"Our Little Sister" is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, rooted in the quiet beauty of everyday life. Through the lens of grief and healing, Kore-eda crafts a tender narrative that celebrates the complexities of sisterhood and the power of found family.
After the death of their estranged father, 3 adult sisters invite their teenaged half-sister to live with them.
Full synopsisspoilers
Three sisters live together in their late grandmother's house in the city of Kamakura. They have lived together since their dad left home for another woman and their mum imitated her husband by running off with another man. Sachi, 29, the oldest Koda sister, a nurse at the local hospital, acts as a substitute mother to Yoshino, 22, and Chika, 19. One day, the threesome learns of the death of their "traitor" father and it is only halfheartedly that they go to his funeral.
But in Yamagata something unexpected happens: they meet their half-sister Suzu, 13, there and immediately fall for the spell of this exquisite young creature. Sensing that Yoko, her father's widow, will not be a fit guardian, Sachi invites Suzu to move in with them.
Talking points
- the impact of family on personal identity
- the process of mourning in familial relationships
- cultural expectations of women in society
- the nuances of sibling relationships
