Erik Shirai’s documentary, “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing,” aims to challenge Western perceptions of sumo wrestling, focusing on the motivations and ambitions of wrestlers. The film examines the sport through a “solemnly respectful lens,” highlighting both the beauty and humanity within it.
While the documentary is described as artfully produced, it also takes a somewhat sanitized approach, smoothing out potentially controversial aspects like hazing, match-fixing, and the exclusion of women. The film also only briefly addresses sumo’s declining popularity in Japan, revealing in the closing credits that fewer Japanese-born wrestlers have achieved the highest rank of yokozuna this century, with Mongolia and the U.S. filling the gap.
The film observes rookie wrestlers training at the Tokyo stable of 62-year-old Master Sakaigawa, where they recite a pledge: “We shall uphold our responsibility and duty to sumo; we shall uphold a strong heart, kindness and courage.” The documentary follows Hiradoumi, a 24-year-old wrestler considered a rising star, and Yonezawaryu, a teenager grappling with the physical toll the sport takes on the body.
Produced by ESPN Films, “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” premiered as the opening film of Venice’s Spotlight competition. The film’s imagery is captured in high-contrast monochrome and sepia tones.
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