The Ballad of Narayama (1958)
Dir: Kinoshita Keisuke
Japan, 1958, 98minmins, DCP
Cast: Tanaka Kinuyo, Takahashi Teiji, Mochizuki Yuko
Imamura Shohei’s better-known and prize-winning 1983 vision of The Ballad of Narayama engages us with the intensity of its human dramas in counterpoint to the natural world around it. By contrast, Kinoshita Keisuke’s earlier interpretation of this story creates a completely different world, shaped by the director’s absolute control of a stylized soundstage, its colors, music and actions before its dramatic shift to the mountain landscape where old people are left to die. The film evoked the ambience of Kabuki with theatrical movement, music and color, yet Kinoshita juxtaposes his tightly controlled initial exposition to a wilder, emotive natural scenario where the inevitable ending transpires. Here, Orin (Tanaka Kinuyo), who binds the designed world of theater and naturalistic vision of cinema in a powerful, human experience is not to be missed.
1959 #1 in Kinema Junpo’s Top 10
1959 Kinema Junpo Awards, Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress
2.9.2018(SUN): Post-screening talk with Long Tin
Screening:
In-theatre Screening
Full House 2018-09-02 (Sun)
19:30Full House 2018-10-06 (Sat)
17:00
Hong Kong Arts Centre Louis Koo Cinema (Venue)
Chinese Subtitles
Post-screening talk
Full House
Remarks
1. Screenings at Broadway Cinematheque are available at Broadway Cinematheque and website of Broadway Circuit only. For related ticketing information, please refer to www.cinema.com.hk.
2. Screenings at Emperor Cinemas iSQUARE, Emperor Cinemas Times Square and PREMIERE Elements : tickets are available at URBTIX till 5pm one day before respective screening, after which tickets will be available only at the box office of the respective venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.
3. Screenings at HK Arts Centre and M+ Cinema : tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets are available at URBTIX website and mobile app. On-the-day tickets will also be available at the Self-service Ticketing Kiosk of the respective venue, subject to availability.
4. Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
5. While it is the HKIFFS’s policy to secure the best possible print of the original version for all its screenings, the HKIFFS appreciates its patrons’ understanding on occasions when less than perfect screening copies are screened.
