SUMO: SPIRIT WEIGHS NOTHING (SUMO: 魂を鍛え抜く) Documentary

Screening to be followed by a conversation with director, producer and cinematographer Erik Shirai and producer Carolyn Hepburn.

Returning eleven years after his feature directorial debut THE BIRTH OF SAKE, Erik Shirai delivers another insightful look into a rich and storied tradition of Japanese culture with SUMO: SPIRIT WEIGHS NOTHING. Following four professional rikishi sumo wrestlers in various stages of their careers — Terunofuji, the highest-rank attainable as Yokozuna; Hiradoumi, “The Rising Star”; and Yonezawaryu and Kosei, “The Little Giant”, both young men still attending sumo school — their trials and tribulations are tracked over the course of a year. For Terunofuji, the years are beginning to severely take their toll as the extraordinary efforts to maintain his physique threaten his health as he hopes for another rikishi to rise to the rank of Yokozuna so he can retire in peace. Meanwhile, Hiradoumi finds himself navigating the changes in privilege and expectations that come with his ascent through the sumo world. While learning the ropes in their stable of sumo rikishi, Yonezawaryu struggles with his confidence and commitment to the tradition as Kosei, undersized but resilient, battles to earn his spot in the storied sport. Observational and intimate, Shirai’s experience as a cinematographer (pulling double duty here as Director of Photography) shines through, capturing the richness of everyday life that devotion to the centuries-old practice asks of Japan’s national sport and the bonds of brotherhood between the men who seek not just to improve themselves but one another. –Eli Prysant