With Japan modernizing and becoming an economic juggernaut in the wake of its WWII defeat, Keisuke Kinoshita's "Narayama bushikô" ("The Ballad of Narayama" in English) offers a perceptive look at the country's past. Based on a book by Shichiro Fukuzawa and told in kabuki style, it addresses the tradition of taking elderly people to a mountain to let them die (known as obasute).
This is the first of Kinoshita's movies that I've seen. Commenting on the inspiration for his work, Kinoshita said "I can't help it. Ideas for films have always just popped into my head like scraps of paper into a wastebasket." If this is any indication, he turned out some good work. Stark cinematography, unusual transitions between scenes, and perfect acting make this movie one of the best. I understand that there was a later version of this movie, but this is the only one that I'll see for now. Since we think of Japan as the world's most modernized place, it might surprise some people to learn that the Land of the Rising Sun had these traditions. Whatever the case, Kinoshita turned out one fine film, and I hope to see the rest of his movies. Definitely see it.
This is the first of Kinoshita's movies that I've seen. Commenting on the inspiration for his work, Kinoshita said "I can't help it. Ideas for films have always just popped into my head like scraps of paper into a wastebasket." If this is any indication, he turned out some good work. Stark cinematography, unusual transitions between scenes, and perfect acting make this movie one of the best. I understand that there was a later version of this movie, but this is the only one that I'll see for now. Since we think of Japan as the world's most modernized place, it might surprise some people to learn that the Land of the Rising Sun had these traditions. Whatever the case, Kinoshita turned out one fine film, and I hope to see the rest of his movies. Definitely see it.