Ganbatte ikimasshoi (Give It All)

Shikoku Island, The fourth largest island in the Japanese archipelago. Matsuyama, a historical, quiet town facing the serene inland sea. 1976, after the turmoil of years of student demonstrations, there came a time of nihilism. The new generation was given the nickname ‘Age of Three Nothings’ signifying ‘Giving nothing, caring for nothing, being moved by nothing’. Etsuko (15) lives with her father and hard-working, fussy mother. They run a little dry-cleaning business. With them is Etsuko’s grandmother who looks after the house and her ‘brilliant’ older sister who is leaving to attend a top college. Etsuko feels useless, with no role to play in the household. One day she decides to run away from home...