is a 1983 Japanese film by director Shōhei Imamura. It stars Sumiko Sakamoto as Orin, Ken Ogata, and Shoichi Ozawa. It is an adaptation of by Shichirō Fukazawa, which had previously been adapted for a 1958 film directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. Both films explore the legendary practice of ubasute, in which elderly people were carried to a mountain and abandoned to die. Imamura's film won the Palme d'Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.
Production The Ballad of Narayama was filmed in Niigata Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.
Plot The film is set in a small rural village in 19th century Japan. According to tradition, once a person reaches the age of 70, he or she must travel to a remote mountain to die of starvation, a practice known as ubasute. The story concerns Orin, who is 69 and in sound health. However, she notes that a neighbor had to drag his father to the mountain, so she resolves to avoid clinging to life beyond her term. She spends a year arranging all the affairs of her family and village, severely punishing a family hoarding food and helping her younger son lose his virginity.
The film contains harsh scenes depicting the brutal conditions faced by the villagers. Interspersed between episodes in the film are brief vignettes of nature—birds, snakes, and other animals hunting, watching, singing, copulating, or giving birth.
Cast Ken Ogata – Tatsuhei Sumiko Sakamoto – Orin Tonpei Hidari – Risuke Aki Takejo – Tamayan Shoichi Ozawa – Katsuzō Fujio Tokita – Jinsaku Sanshō Shinsui – Zeniya no Matayan Seiji Kurasaki – Kesakichi Junko Takada – Matsuyan Mitsuko Baisho – Oei Taiji Tonoyama – Teruyan Casey Takamine – Arayashiki Nenji Kobayashi – Tsune Nijiko Kiyokawa – Okane Akio Yokoyama – Amaya
Box office Upon its Japanese release in 1983, the film earned in distributor rentals and in gross receipts, equivalent to ticket sales.
Overseas, the film sold tickets in the Soviet Union, 844,077 tickets in France upon release in 1983, and 1,696 tickets in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain between 1996 and 2018, for a combined estimated total of approximately tickets sold worldwide.
Awards Cannes Film Festival (1983) Palme d'Or Japan Academy Film Prize (1984) Best Actor Ken Ogata Best Film Best Sound Kenichi Benitani Blue Ribbon Awards (1984) Best Actor Ken Ogata Excellence in Cinematography Award (1984): Masao Tochizawa Hochi Film Award (1983) Best Supporting Actress Mitsuko Baisho Mainichi Film Concours (1984) Best Actor (Ken Ogata) Best Sound Recording: Kenichi Benitani
Anecdote In early 2000s, the movie had a chance to be released in China, on condition that the sex scenes were censored. The director Imamura consulted some Chinese directors. They replied that the sex scenes were necessary contrast to the scenes of death. Imamura decided to turn down the proposal.China Times (中國時報) in Taipei. Date unknown.
Home media The Ballad of Narayama was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in May 2010. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer.
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