The Ballad of Narayama

the set design in this goes CRAZY

the set design in this goes CRAZY

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Criterion Challenge 2025: 45/52- Asian film

letterboxd.com/that1oboist/list/criterion-challenge-2025/

Criterion Challenge 2025: 45/52- Asian film

That old hag definitely has 33 demon teeth.
Very interesting staging and atmosphere. The set designa were without a doubt the centrepiece here. Had to do a deep dive into Kabuki theatre after finishing it, pretty comprehensive stuff, seems a lot of Japanese directors have taken inspiration from this ancient art form. The plot is pretty fascinating, but as previously stated the presentation is without a doubt the biggest draw here. This is one beautiful fucking movie.. but man that music got tiresome after a while.

That old hag definitely has 33 demon teeth.
Very interesting staging and atmosphere. The set designa were without a doubt the centrepiece here. Had to do a deep dive into Kabuki theatre after finishing it, pretty comprehensive stuff, seems a lot of Japanese directors have taken inspiration from this ancient art form. The plot is pretty fascinating, but as previously stated the presentation is without a doubt the biggest draw here. This is one beautiful fucking movie.. but man that music got tiresome after a while.

It's got some slow moments but I really dig the style that Kinoshita makes the film with, by incorporating theatrical techniques like transitioning between scenes and (mostly) placing the camera far back from the actors. The music that constantly plays over the film perfectly fits the mood and the plot itself is very thought-provoking, questioning things like mortality and fate. The colors are also majestically beautiful.

It's got some slow moments but I really dig the style that Kinoshita makes the film with, by incorporating theatrical techniques like transitioning between scenes and (mostly) placing the camera far back from the actors. The music that constantly plays over the film perfectly fits the mood and the plot itself is very thought-provoking, questioning things like mortality and fate. The colors are also majestically beautiful.

What a sight to behold. I've never seen kabuki-influenced cinema, but this turned me right onto it. The way the sets cheat with their transitions and the powerful emotions with the ending hug on Narayama were things that really pulled on my heartstrings. My God, I love it.

What a sight to behold. I've never seen kabuki-influenced cinema, but this turned me right onto it. The way the sets cheat with their transitions and the powerful emotions with the ending hug on Narayama were things that really pulled on my heartstrings. My God, I love it.