Narayama bushiko

Japanese cinema has a strong history of theatrical aesthetic, but there are few examples as explicit as this film. Kinoshita's reliance on theater tropes allows free reign expressionism. The film is narrated in song, the artificial backdrops are literally swept away into the next, the lighting is colorful and dramatic, and the actors' movements are bold and exaggerated. It is a visual stunner, but nevertheless it suffers from some tedious pacing.

Worth seeing for the kabuki stage style...kabuki music plays over it with singing narration, sets with colorful painted backgrounds slide past each other to move the action, and blackouts mark transitions, among many other stage stylings, shot so well that to call it a gimmick or even an experiment wouldn't be fair. The striking visuals complement the quiet story about aging and family bonds(tied tight or severed) and that fear of aging into a burden.

I saw the 80's version before this one and this sure is different while also being... the same. A striking story of life in a small mountain village, it recounts the same tale, but it's done in an amazing way using staged sets that somehow seem to come so alive each time. I don't know how they did it, but it looks beautiful. A solemn story, it's a lot more subdued than the later version is, but I liked them both equally.

The sets and set designs were stunning and amazing.

Stunningly beautiful staging and fluid kabuki style narrative make this a vividly cinematic experience.

Frighteningly relevant, especially with covid

The film is brilliant, BUT - I have to admit, the narration was really grating in the beginning. Overall, I think the music and narration enhance the film, but the stray cat wailing in the beginning is a bit painful.

Completely beautiful, the sound stages used in this movie are jaw droppingly detailed and the attention given to each scene is incredibly laudable. Certainly worth a watch, even if the 80s version is slightly better.

Star Rating: ★★★1/2

Totally loved this kabuki style of filmmaking, never once felt slow and i thought the music was siiiiiiiiiiick (just like how kobe bryant is siiiiiiiiiiick)

"There's never been any proof of that tradition actually existing." http://illusionpodcast.blogspot.com/2015/10/episode-75-keisuke-kinoshita-in-living.html

A unique and very powerful film. Imamura's remake is even better, though.

Visually breathtaking with painted backdrops & interesting lighting techniques. A majority of the film is essentially blocked as a stage play with bleak musical narration. It's plot is thin, though the final act is tremendous and emotionally devastating (especially if you have a close relationship with your mother). Allegorically, it's a dissection of the Japanese culture's differing generational views on respecting elders, represented by members of the film's central family & their actions.

A folk story fraught with senseless superstition, which unfalteringly drives all characters' behaviors, speaking for its authenticity. Hauntingly beautiful set design, photography and soundtrack.