“The Ballad of Narayama,” Shohei Imamura

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 on Imamura’s death

• A long Imamura profile on Senses of Cinema