Imagine a village so impoverished that thieves are buried alive, and elderly citizens must submit to death on a cold mountain peak.  This is the brutal life portrayed in Shohei Imamura’s (Black Rain, Vengeance Is Mine) shocking yet moving masterpiece.  Based on Japanese legend and set a century ago, The Ballad of Narayama focuses on a proud matriarch (Sumiko Sakamoto) and her widowed son (Ken Ogata) as they prepare for her final journey to Mount Marayama.  With amazing performances, bold details of primitive life, and stunning nature photography, Imamura brilliantly portrays the spriitual strength that coexists with cruel savagery.  The intense conflict between love, duty, and harsh reality builds to a chilling, unforgettable climax.