Ami Koyae stars in post-war drama ‘Watashi no Shiranai Kodomotachi’

Thirteen-year-old actress Ami Koyae has landed her first leading role in the film ‘Watashi no Shiranai Kodomotachi’ (The Children I Do Not Know), directed by Miwa Nishikawa. Set in post-war Tokyo, the film depicts the struggles of war orphans. Koyae portrays Kotoko, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to survive on the streets.

To prepare for the role, Koyae cut her hair into a very short style and underwent seven months of intensive piano lessons to master Chopin. She was selected as the lead from an audition involving approximately 500 participants. The film, which has gained international attention and was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival, also stars Fumi Nikaido, Koji Yakusho, and Yuko Tanaka.