2012 / 10 min

SYNOPSIS

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Two 8-year old boys are having a conversation. Ken, born in Japan, is dressed in a ninja costume. Nito, born in Congo, Africa, is a child soldier.  Nito was forced to kill his own mother, ordered by a soldier. Boys start speaking about "differences" between themselves.

Director's Statement

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When one becomes conscious of a difference between others and themselves in a negative way, discrimination begins. This leads to hostility towards each other, progressing into a war which people kill each other. A child soldier problem happening in Congo is not some unrelated issue happening far away in Africa.  It is actually a problem about ourselves. I hope this film provides an opportunity for viewers to become aware about child soldiers, to raise its awareness between Japanese people. I wish for teenagers to view this work as well, an age group which interpersonal problem such as bullying can easily turn into a tragedy.

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This work was screened at Generation14plus division in the Berlin film festival.  Generation14plus is a division for a young generation aged 14 to 17. This film stimulated many questions immediately after its showing there.  After Berlin film festival, it has been shown at symposiums sponsored by an NPO that works on social rehabilitation of African ex-child soldiers.  Inquiries regarding child soldier and human consciousness of "difference" that manifests this problem were raised during its Q&A session.  Also, some have independently organized its viewing as a part of a training program for planning corporate social contribution.  All viewers have a common feedback: "I would like more people to see this production".