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The Ballad of Narayama

1983 · Movie · 130 min · ★ 7.5 · 95% critics

Drama

In a remote, impoverished village, tradition demands that anyone who reaches old age must be taken to a mountain to die, or risk bringing shame on their family. As winter approaches, an elderly woman prepares for her turn by trying to secure her family’s future, including finding a spouse for her eldest son.

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2 hours to watch.

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Details
Original title
楢山節考
Years
1983
Release date
1983-04-29
Language
Japanese
Runtime
130 min
Critic score
95/100
TMDB rating
7.5/10 (203 votes)
About

If you can handle bleak, intense dramas about survival and tradition, this may grip you with its harsh humanity and stark beauty; Not for you if you avoid graphic cruelty, explicit sex, or punishing themes like in Vengeance Is Mine.

Pros: emotionally powerful; vivid village life; striking beauty | Cons: relentless cruelty; explicit sexual content; hard to watch

Awards & recognition

  • Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role · 1984
  • Japan Academy Prize — Picture of the Year · 1984
  • Palme d'Or · 1983
  • Japan Academy Prize — Picture of the Year · 1984 · nominated
  • Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role · 1984 · nominated
Show all 8 awards →
  • Japan Academy Prize — Screenplay of the Year · 1984 · nominated
  • Japan Academy Prize — Director of the Year · 1984 · nominated
  • Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role · 1984 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Shōhei Imamura