Narayama - Still Messing With My Head After All These Years

Okay, so I just rewatched "The Ballad of Narayama" (1983) again, and wow. This movie is seriously disturbing, but in a way that sticks with you, you know? It's been a while since I last saw it and I keep noticing new things. It's directed by Shohei Imamura, btw, I just looked it up lol. That poor village, stuck in that cycle of poverty and tradition where turning 70 is basically a death sentence. Seeing Orin prepare herself, even knocking out her own teeth because she wants her son to be able to find a wife – it's just heartbreaking. And the casual way they accept it! Still gets to me. What hit me harder this time was the whole family dynamic. Orin clearly loves her sons, even the lazy one who's stealing food. You almost forget how brutal the tradition is because of her love for them. And the son who has to carry her up the mountain? The whole thing is so raw, so primal. The scene where he leaves her... I honestly don't know if I could do that, no matter what the rules were. The ending with all the corpses and the snow... it's bleak, but also kind of beautiful in a weird, messed-up way. I know it's not for everyone – it's definitely slow-paced, and obviously, the subject matter is tough to watch. But if you're looking for something that's going to make you think, really think, about life and death and family, then this is it. I still think it's a deeply moving film, even though it's also seriously messed up and I'll probably have nightmares tonight, lol. Anyone else seen it and have thoughts? Am I the only one who finds the brutality so captivating? One small thing: the dubbing on the version I watched was kinda rough. I think I need to find a version with subs next time, I bet I'm missing some nuances in the dialogue.