The Ballad of Narayama

“The Ballad of Narayama,” directed by Shôhei Imamura, is a poignant exploration of life and death in a rural Japanese village, where tradition dictates that the elderly must be carried to a mountain to die once they reach the age of 70. The film intricately weaves themes of familial duty, survival, and the harsh realities of nature, offering a raw and unflinching look at the human condition.