Film Forum

Japan, 1992
Directed by Masayuki Suo
Starring Masahiro Motoki, Misa Shimizu, Naoto Takenaka
Approx. 105 min. DCP.

“Got-it-made student Akihei (Motoki) is told that his poor grades will oblige him to repeat his senior year — unless he agrees to join and help revive the university's dying sumo club. Various other no-hopers are recruited, including an American student who's shy about baring his legs. Only one of them has anything like the requisite weight and girth. But slowly, inexorably, they get into the spirit of sumo by the time the college championships come around.” – Time Out

Presented with support from the Reginald S. Reinhardt, Ling-Makekau Fund for Asia-Pacific Films

A FILM MOVEMENT RELEASE

Reviews

“Imbued with that understated eccentricity that many Japanese comedies have used so effectively, Masayuki Suo’s homage to his country’s unique culture proves to be a winning effort.”
– Andrew Saroch, Far East Films

“[A] fully entertaining, sometimes laugh out loud movie about sports underdogs who rise to success….”
– Japan On Film