Bloodtype Online

    This is a remake of a 1958 movie, which in turn was based on a novel that was written in 1956. Now, I've not seen the earlier movie or read the book, but after watching this version I am very tempted to check them both out, such was the impact of this movie. 

    Set in the 19th Century, The Ballad of Narayama is set in a small village in the Japanese mountains, where due to the extreme conditions and remote location any villager that reaches 70 years of age is taken to the mountain and left to die. It sounds a little harsh, but it is a tradition that has gone on for generations in order to appease the mountain god and to help keep the supplies of food up. 

    The main focus of this story is Tatsuhei (Ken Ogato) and his mother Orin, whom is 69 years old, and is getting herself ready for the journey to the mountain. Although appoaching 70 she is in fine health, but would rather go now whilst she can, rather than be dragged there later on. In the meantime though she finds it in herself to help run the family as best she can. Her eldest son, and head of the household Tatsuhei has a new wife, a younger son has a woman that endeavours to bring shame on the family by bringing a thief into their midsts and the second eldest son, whom by tradtion is not allowed to marry is desperate to find a woman with which to sow his wild oats. Orin helps with all of this, whilst in turn trying to convince her family that she is indeed weakening and needs to leave the village. 

    As much as this is the focal point of the movie it also follows the traditions and rituals of a group of people so far removed from what we would call civilization. At times incredibly brutal, life and death are seen far differently here, but also quite humurous in places, not to mention relatively graphic in its depiction of sex; graphic for mainstream Japanese cinema anyway. 

    The Ballad of Narayama is absolutely beautifully shot from start to finish, every scene looks wonderful and the attention to detail is astounding. This, along with a terrific score and an emotional punch, especially the last half an hour or so, all combine to make this a truly amazing movie. 

    The cast are universally terrific, but special mention must go to Ken Ogato as Tatsuhei, who struggles with the role of running his household, and Sumiko Sakamoto as Orin, who quite frankly is excellent. The two of them carry the movie, and for the last half an hour are the only two characters on screen, yet hardly a word is spoken, but none of the power of the story is lost in a truly emotional climax. 

    The Ballad of Narayama is most certainly not going to appeal to everyone, but if Japanese movies are your thing, or just movies with rich characters and storyline, then I recommend you watch this. It truly is a fantastic, and ultimately uplifting slice of cinema. 

****

-Jude Felton