Korea-Japan Joint Play 'The Ballad of Narayama' to Be Staged in Daehak-ro

October 24-26 at Hanye Theater 1

'The Ballad of Narayama,' the film that brought the late Japanese master director Shohei Imamura his first Palme d'Or, is being adapted into a stage play.

Stage Eye, a performing arts planning company, announced on October 17 that, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, the Korea-Japan joint play 'The Ballad of Narayama' will be performed from October 24 to 26 at Hanye Theater 1 in Daehak-ro, Seoul.

'The Ballad of Narayama' is based on the Japanese mountain village custom of ubasute, which is similar to the Korean folktale 'Goryeojang.' Ubasute refers to the practice of abandoning elderly family members who are no longer able to contribute to the household in the mountains. Through the motif of ubasute, the play explores themes of survival and sacrifice. It centers on the journey of the elderly Orin, who chooses to leave for Narayama (the mountain) to avoid becoming a burden to her family, and depicts the struggles of individuals torn between familial love and responsibility, and tradition.

The play is based on the 1956 novel of the same name by Japanese writer Shichiro Fukazawa. Director Shohei Imamura adapted Fukazawa's 'The Ballad of Narayama' and his other novel 'Gods of the Northeast' into the film 'The Ballad of Narayama,' which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983. Shohei Imamura later received his second Palme d'Or in 1997 for 'The Eel.'

The stage play 'The Ballad of Narayama' was first produced and premiered in 2023 by Japanese theater director Tadashi Suzuki. Last year, it was invited to the World Theater Festival and the Beseto Festival in Gwangju, Korea.

To mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Korean actors will participate in this performance. Setoyama Misaki, president of the Japan Playwrights Association and head of the Minamoza Theater Company, is responsible for writing and directing the play.

Director Setoyama Misaki stated, "The Ballad of Narayama delivers the message of Narayama to modern people living in an aging society," and added, "Through this collaborative performance, I hope to explore various joint projects between the two countries."