Original title
Kikujiro no Natsu, released 1999.
A charming movie written and directed by Takeshi Kitano, who also plays one of the lead roles. The movie also has a powerful score done by Joe Hisaishi The story is about an introverted boy named Masao who goes to find his mother whom he has been told is working in a faraway town. He is accompanied by a cynical and irresponsible ex-yakuza (Kitano) who seems to have no shame at all when it comes to leeching off other people. After blowing all their travel money by betting on bike races, they hitchhike across Japan and even though Masao's quest fails in the worst possible way, his companion manages to turn the trip into a positive experience, a summer they will both never forget.