Narayama Bushikô
1983 / 130m - Japan
Drama
2.5*/5.0*
The Ballad of Narayama poster

Watches

January 15, 2021

2.5*/5.0*

Certainly not the worst Imamura, though I don't think I'll ever become a fan of his work. Like most of his films, the acting is quite crude and unsubtle, with symbolism layered on thick. What saved this film from anonymity for me is the interesting finale, which is easily the best part of the film.

The film follows a fictitious (folklore-based) community living on a mountain in northern Japan. When their members turn 70, they have to climb the neighboring mountain, where death awaits them. This sacrifice is supposed to bring good fortune to their children. Orin spends her entire 69th year preparing for the big trip, making sure her kids are ready for a life without her.

The first 90 minutes is spent exploring the community and its people. There's a lot of intercourse (between people, between animals and even some interspecies fidgeting) and a lot of poverty as people try their best to survive in the town. The trip up the mountain really calms things down and finally there's some true beauty shining true. It's a film that has its moments, but there's not enough of them to turn this into a worthwhile classic.