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# “The Ballad of Narayama,” Shohei Imamura
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/japan-3596jsp/
- Published: 2006-05-29T23:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-17T11:48:28.000Z
- Author: Open democracy
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:27, #ImagesUploaded

![ballad of narayama](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/narayama_565_M7X57TY-1776425888476.jpg)

ballad of narayama

A still from The Ballad of Narayama (1983, winner of Cannes Palm D’or)

Based on the writings of Shichiro Fukazawa and set in 19th century Japan, *The Ballad of Narayama* is one of Shohei Imamura's most famous and haunting films. Tatsuhei (Ken Otaga) lives with his 69 year-old mother in an impoverished and remote village. Bound by a village custom, he soon has to make the journey to the top of mount Narayama to leave his mother there to die.

See also:

- BBC news [report](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5029780.stm?ref=opendemocracy.net) on Imamura’s death
- A long Imamura [profile](http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/03/imamura.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) on Senses of Cinema