"Our lives are as narratives or stories as we represent them in the world. Therefore, to understand the stories of elders, we can better understand the various ways in which the elders define their self-esteem and what approaches are problematic ... "
" Ethics and Aging " , George J. Agich . In "From life to death" , ThomasM and David C. Kushner Thomasine . Cambridge University Press, 1999.
So what would be measured at a given society by its treatment of its elderly?
Many filmmakers have attempted to answer this question from quite diverse artistic sensibilities, from the newly "Amador" (Fernando León de Aranoa , 2010), through Oscar-winning "Back to Bountiful" (Peter Masterson, 1985) or the gritty neorealism of "Umberto D." (Vittorio de Sica , 1952), to the minimalist masterpiece titled "The Window" ( Carlos Sorin, 2008) or co English - Argentina "Elsa and Fred" ( Marcos Carnevale , 2005), starring the tandem of China Zorrilla and Manuel Alexandre our dear , recently died at 92 years of age.
China Zorrilla and Manuel Alexandre are "Elsa and Fred"
was beginning this post by referring to a letter of George J. Agich , doctor and professor specializing in bioethics .
is the illustrious author of an essay that tries to raise certain basic questions about the ethics of aging answered so I understand perhaps unintentional, but with proven solvency, "The Ballad of Narayama" (Shohei Imamura , 1983).
things first. The contemplation of abandonment of an old man causes us a feeling of sorrow and an overwhelming sense of revulsion. This unacceptable situation apparently come into collision with the story that exposes Imamura before our eyes.
In a contemporary society , which worships youth, health and independence, would it be permissible to walk away from our elders? If medical advances our society is increasingly aging, if in addition the current global economic crisis has served to awaken us from that sweet dream of unlimited resources, "end up being the elderly, the weak and the poor suffer most?
is the illustrious author of an essay that tries to raise certain basic questions about the ethics of aging answered so I understand perhaps unintentional, but with proven solvency, "The Ballad of Narayama" (Shohei Imamura , 1983).
things first. The contemplation of abandonment of an old man causes us a feeling of sorrow and an overwhelming sense of revulsion. This unacceptable situation apparently come into collision with the story that exposes Imamura before our eyes.
In a contemporary society , which worships youth, health and independence, would it be permissible to walk away from our elders? If medical advances our society is increasingly aging, if in addition the current global economic crisis has served to awaken us from that sweet dream of unlimited resources, "end up being the elderly, the weak and the poor suffer most?
As always, the film could not avoid the challenge of reality, although this may not be present but in later times more pessimistic. "Aufstand der Alter" ( Lühdorff Jörg, 2007), a German television series entitled could translate as "The revolt of the elders" raises under the mockumentary format of a revolt of senior citizens in By 2030 at the inhuman conditions in which they live. A science - fiction? ...
In "The Ballad of Narayama", by way of a great haiku full of lyricism and beauty, the influential filmmaker Japan develops the subsistence of a rural family in Japan of E ra Meiji (1868 - 1912) where realism and brutality shocked the conscience of our people "civilized": suicide, infanticide (the corpse of a baby left on the fields of rice ice cream), murder , bestiality (the moron who relieves his lust with a beautiful dog breed Akita Inu ), utilitarianism, the law of retaliation ... Imamura proliferate makes animal mating scenes to remind the fuzzy border that separates those unfortunate human beasts themselves ...
The cold, storm, snow, snowmelt, dirt, wind, the stench can lead to release of the human body, as opposed to the aroma of flowers and the sweetness that follows the freshly boiled rice, and the tiring climb up the makeshift charnel house of the mountain, leaving the screen to shudder, if anything even more, as viewers of this stunning work of cinematic art.
Does someone could avoid the shock to the ruthless scene in which a man pushing his elderly father over a cliff?
The cold, storm, snow, snowmelt, dirt, wind, the stench can lead to release of the human body, as opposed to the aroma of flowers and the sweetness that follows the freshly boiled rice, and the tiring climb up the makeshift charnel house of the mountain, leaving the screen to shudder, if anything even more, as viewers of this stunning work of cinematic art.
Does someone could avoid the shock to the ruthless scene in which a man pushing his elderly father over a cliff?
Orin (Sumiko Sakamoto) and Tatshuei (Ken Ogata)
The protagonist is Orin ( Sumiko Sakamoto). The date of his 70 th anniversary is approaching and she hunched over the work and the weight of years, begin to consider their last trip to Mount Narayama to complete their life cycle. Ancient customs suggest to a male relative take the old man turns 70 to the inhospitable peaks to leave there to their fate. Matter of survival. How to sell or kill their sons when the family exist in a firstborn and a baby.
hunched over a more than likely osteoporosis and spinal osteoarthritis , despite his age Orin enjoy a healthy life. Working in the field and captained the housework, and still has a teeth in good condition that allows smooth feeding. In a moving scene we'll see how she breaks several teeth knocking against a stone, to speed up their disability.
His eldest son is Tatsuhei ( Ken Ogata), family patriarch since his father disappeared in the past, loaded forever with the stigma of cowardice for not daring to take up the Narayama his mother. Tatsuhei deeply loves and respects Orin. Your feelings are torn between affection for the venerable old lady and be pent up anger to blame for the inhuman task of cruel neglect.
why a company should get rid of one of its members who still enjoys its own autonomy? Did Orin, despite its limitations and immersed in the heat of their daily tasks, does not lead the best life possible? This is one of the first controversies present in the film Imamura.
Shohei Imamura
Against popular opinion, "The Ballad of Narayama" is an original work by Shohei Imamura. The script is based on the original novel Shihirô Fukazawa (1914 - 1987). A version of the same name in 1958, directed by Keisuke Kinoshita , starring the prolific Japanese actress Kinu Tanaka in the role of Orin.
philosopher Daniel Callahan ( The Hastings Center - New York ) , renowned authority on bioethics has argued on the positive role of the elderly in society, especially when transmitted to younger generations young life experiences and their cherished values. This Levario implicit positivism, especially for those over 85 years, the willingness to accept death as appropriate . In other words, the elderly would be forced to participate in the social function to make room for the next generation. In the workplace, this is already happening with retirement. According to Callahan, would be unfair to support and require the use of technology and research to prolong the life of the very elderly. The dispute is served.
philosopher Daniel Callahan ( The Hastings Center - New York ) , renowned authority on bioethics has argued on the positive role of the elderly in society, especially when transmitted to younger generations young life experiences and their cherished values. This Levario implicit positivism, especially for those over 85 years, the willingness to accept death as appropriate . In other words, the elderly would be forced to participate in the social function to make room for the next generation. In the workplace, this is already happening with retirement. According to Callahan, would be unfair to support and require the use of technology and research to prolong the life of the very elderly. The dispute is served.
In contrast these ideas, not just non-Western cultures value the elderly, but also the honor and revere. Is still fresh and recent discovery in Atapuerca of fossil remains of Homo antecessor senile and disabled supposedly care for the rest of the community until the end of his days.
Where establish the boundaries to give up on life? Callahan proposed the 85 years (by the way, he is now 80!). Just remember here that the current life expectancy of women in Galicia and Spain and slashing almost that age ... In "The Ballad of Narayama" the limit is 70, maybe a negligible figure considering the health and social conditions in rural Japan in those days ...
In the movie "Logan's Run" ( Michael Anderson, 1976), which then generate a hit television series, the border was in the 30 years, but in the original novel of William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson inspiring screenplay required to extinction was equal to 21 years!.
The old Orin was lucky the day he ascended to Narayama to complete its existence, it started snowing ...
concluding these reflections as began with a quote from George J. Argich:
"obvious injustice associated with aging in our society an injustice that mere changes in social policy is not easily eradicated, it does not value the elderly as are elderly people. These are people who have survived and lived past. If we fail to appreciate this simple truth, our society will not solve ethical issues related to old age. "
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