THE STORY – Rare inside look at Japan’s private sumo world. Through one turbulent year, wrestlers at various career stages struggle to survive in this punishing tradition. Beyond the spectacle, true strength lies in spirit, not flesh.
THE CAST – N/A
THE TEAM – Erik Shirai (Director)
THE RUNNING TIME – 99 Minutes
Here in the States, many people know very little about sumo wrestling. Of course, we’ve seen depictions of the sport over the years in film and television, along with a disappointing number of parodies and racist depictions too. But few people know the actual art of sumo, or its spiritual origins. “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing,” the new documentary film from cinematographer-turned-director Erik Shirai, could help change that. Following numerous sumo wrestlers in Japan, the immersive documentary showcases the pride, pain, and responsibility of their training, giving viewers a deeper appreciation for the intensity of these athletes.
“Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” opens with a recounting of the tradition that birthed the sport. It’s seen as an ancient tradition, a contest of strength passed down from the gods to appease them. Dating back more than a thousand years, the greatest champions would have as much respect as a samurai warrior. And yet, the sport has declined in popularity in recent years. The number of wrestlers peaked in the 1990s with around 1,000, but has since dropped to under 600. The film juxtaposes a modern, thriving city, full of skyscrapers, cars, and smartphones, against these wrestling matches, still so rooted in tradition. The wrestlers ride the subway in their traditional robes and wooden sandals, with no phones or devices in their hands, while fellow passengers remain glued to their screens, headphones covering their ears. Blending the ancient and the present reinforces the traditions’ enduring nature. The stable even uses an old camcorder to chronicle the weigh-ins. It’s not exactly ancient, but it makes everything feel timeless.
Shirai takes an observational approach to following the training. Talking heads and narration are kept to a minimum, mostly to help the audience better understand the traditions or rules of the sport by focusing on the art of it through its competitors. The film unfolds at a measured pace, never rushing to a dramatic beat or exciting match for the sake of it. Its calming tone perfectly matches the reverence and patience required of the athletes. While sumo can be a hard-hitting, fast-paced sport, Shirai wisely doesn’t rush his filmmaking, allowing the audience to understand who these athletes are, why the sport matters so much to them and to the country. This is a lifestyle, not simply a job, and “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” immerses viewers in the hardships of the training and lifestyle to better understand the commitment.
The film primarily follows wrestlers from Sakaigawa Stable as they train. Through each wrestler profiled, we get perspectives at different stages of their careers. There’s Hiradoumi, “The Rising Star,” at 24 years old, widely expected to rank highly, and must contend with that pressure. Yonezawaryu, 19, is “The Rookie,” while Kosei, only 15, is “The Little Giant,” both still coming into adulthood and realizing the depth of this commitment. We also spend time with Yokozuna Terunofuji, the 73rd Grand Champion (Yokozuna is the title bestowed on those who make the top rank), and see the toll this career has taken on him and his young family. Sumo, like so many sports, is physically taxing. Their bodies undergo extreme pain, both from the highly physical matches and from packing on a huge number of calories to sustain their training and build their frames. The wrestlers note that sumo can cut their life expectancy by 10-20 years. And one of their own died the year before after a fall during a match. While the sport is rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, it’s not a decision made lightly.
The film’s exquisite craftwork further immerses the audience in this world. All of the training footage is shot in color by director Shirai and co-cinematographer Hiroshi Hara, with a slow-moving camera that’s never in a hurry. This counterbalances the matches, which are captured in a warm monochrome, yet again reinforcing the timeless nature of the sport. It makes every match feel all the more important. While not shot on film, the whole movie contains a heavy layer of grain, adding some rich texture to each frame. The score amplifies the imagery by staying minimalistic and emerging only in key moments, such as the matches, pairing Japanese music with droning strings to accentuate the gravity of the sport.
“Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” may challenge viewers hoping for a more intense sports flick. This isn’t interested in giving a “Rocky”-style triumphant rise to the top. Yes, the athletes are vying to make rank and earn the money and acclaim that come with it. Still, this documentary emphasizes the hard work poured into every level of the competition, not just one championship. In some ways, this is reminiscent of last year’s “Kokuho,” Lee Sang-il’s Oscar-nominated film following the life of a kabuki actor. Sumo and kabuki, while very different worlds, emphasize Japanese tradition, even though they’ve both lost much of their audience in recent years. “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” is a gorgeously shot, vulnerable look inside a sport western audiences rarely see, and gives newfound respect to what these dedicated athletes experience.
