Standing outside a crematorium on a sunny day, four young strangers—Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura—meet by chance. They have each lost their parents under absurd circumstances, ranging from a car accident to murder, and they are drawn together by their shared inability to shed a tear over their loss. Like zombies, the quartet are devoid of all emotions and they possess no motivation or goals in life. So, what are they to do? Of course, form a kick-ass rock band! This is the story of how four “zombies” became viral sensations and swept the world by storm on their quest to recover what they have lost—their emotions—and perhaps gain something greater than that in the end.
Makoto Nagahisa’s directorial debut is a fascinating and inventive look at grief and loss that never sacrifices its emotional rawness. The film keeps audiences entertained through its creative use of video game wackiness, vivid imagery and an unforgettable soundtrack. Featuring cameos from some of the best names in Japanese cinema, including Rinko Kikuchi and Sosuke Ikematsu, We Are Little Zombies reminds us that in order to find ourselves again, often it just takes something as simple as a great rock song.
– SW