We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia

We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia

Year: 2011

Runtime: 126 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Kenta Fukasaku

Drama

A young Japanese man named Kota Tanaka (Osamu Mukai) works to raise money and then build an elementary school in Cambodia.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present-day (early 21st century)

The story unfolds in contemporary times, with students organizing fundraisers, volunteer efforts, and corporate sponsorships using modern tools. The Cambodian visit intercuts with back-home planning, showing how a current youth-led project can address long-standing educational inequities. The film also nods to Cambodia's past through visits to a Khmer Rouge museum, grounding the present-day efforts in historical memory.

Location

Cambodia, Japan

The action spans from university campuses in Japan to a village in Cambodia. In Cambodia, the team visits a hospital serving AIDS patients, and a museum dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge, before arriving at a village where a new school will stand. Back in Japan, fundraising events are organized, and sponsors are pursued, with the team facing setbacks like insider trading scandals and vandalism.

🎗️ Charity 🌍 Culture 🧭 Travel

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:46

Main Characters – We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011)

Meet the key characters of We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kota Tanaka (Osamu Mukai)

Kota is a medical student who struggles with exams and feels something essential is missing from his life. He spearheads the group's fundraising drive to build a school in Cambodia, turning his personal doubt into collective action. A letter from a Cambodian child rekindles his hope and motivates him to keep pushing despite setbacks.

🎯 Leadership 💪 Determination 🤝 Teamwork

Kaori Kubo (Eri Murakawa)

Kaori is a nursing student whose belief in education as a catalyst for change inspires Kota. She encourages the Cambodian trip, hoping firsthand exposure will bolster their resolve. Her compassion and connection with Kota provide emotional grounding for the team as they face challenges.

🎯 Compassion 💡 Inspiration 🤝 Partnership

Mitsuru Honda (Tori Matsuzaka)

Mitsuru is a friend of Kota who is deeply affected by the Cambodian experiences. The trip’s emotional weight leads him to return to Japan early, signaling the intensity of what they witness. His response highlights the personal stakes and emotional toll of volunteering.

💪 Resilience 🎯 Courage 🤝 Friendship

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:46

Major Themes – We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011)

Explore the central themes of We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎒 Education

Education is framed as a transformative force that can break cycles of poverty. The team believes that building a school will give children opportunities previously denied. The film follows the highs and lows of fundraising, showing how education becomes a shared goal that binds volunteers and beneficiaries.

🌍 Cross-cultural Connection

Travel to Cambodia exposes the group to a different reality and highlights the value of listening and humility. The interactions with Cambodian communities reveal shared humanity and dedicated hope. The trip shows how cultural exchange can strengthen resolve and broaden perspective.

💪 Perseverance

The fundraising faces a harsh test when the sponsor is implicated in insider trading and donations are vandalized. A letter from a Cambodian child rekindles Kota's motivation and renews the team's commitment. Ultimately, their perseverance pays off as they raise the target and prepare for the school's opening.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:46

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Movies about grassroots social change like We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia

Ordinary people taking on ambitious projects to make a tangible difference in the world.If you enjoyed watching the determined efforts in We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia, you'll appreciate these movies about similar social projects. This list features inspirational dramas and true stories where passionate individuals tackle real-world problems through community action and perseverance.

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Character-driven stories of purpose like We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia

Characters finding meaning and personal growth by dedicating themselves to a larger cause.Fans of the personal journey in We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia will connect with these movies about finding oneself through dedication to a cause. These films focus on characters who grow and discover their strengths by committing to a meaningful project, blending emotional development with a steady, hopeful narrative.

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Narrative Summary

The pattern involves a protagonist, often at a crossroads, who commits to a challenging external goal. The struggles and successes of the project directly parallel their internal journey, forcing them to confront their limitations, build resilience, and ultimately find a deeper sense of purpose and identity.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their dual focus on an external mission and an internal transformation. The steady pacing allows for character development, while the hopeful tone ensures the journey, despite its challenges, is ultimately rewarding and affirming for both the character and the viewer.

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We Can’t Change the World, But We Wanna Build a School in Cambodia Summary

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