The Ballad of Narayama (1958)

In the heart of a secluded mountain hamlet, The Ballad of Narayama unfolds, a tale steeped in the rich hues of Kabuki tradition. The village, ensnared by food scarcity, adheres to a reverent yet heart-wrenching custom: as villagers reach the venerable age of 70, their kin carry them up the foreboding slopes of Narayama to meet their peaceful end. Approaching this significant milestone is Granny Orin, a beacon of acceptance and grace in the face of her impending fate. Her son Tatsuhei, a widower, grapples with the impending loss, even as he finds new hope in a budding relationship with a woman his age, a match orchestrated by Orin herself. Meanwhile, her grandson Kesa, whose girlfriend is with child, selfishly awaits Orin's departure. The narrative weaves around them, introducing a family of thieves who face the village's harsh justice, and an elderly outcast, deserted by his son and left to forage for survival. Amidst these intertwining tales, will Orin's embodiment of love and acceptance serve to enlighten and uplift her family? The Ballad of Narayama is a mesmerizing dance between life, death, love, and sacrifice, unfolding against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape and a resilient human spirit.

The Ballad of Narayama is a drama movie featuring Kinuyo Tanaka and directed by Keisuke Kinoshita.

The Ballad of Narayama is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and MUBI.

It is also possible to buy The Ballad of Narayama on Amazon Video and Apple TV.