The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival is set to begin with the screening of the film ‘Climbing for Life’ on October 27. Directed by Junji Sakamoto, the film is a biographical drama that celebrates Japan’s most illustrious adventure-seeker named Tabei Junko. And what could be more apt than the timing of the screening of this film? 2025 is a milestone year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the historical climb of Mount Everest by Tabei, which changed the perspective of women adventurers, including mountaineers, across the globe.
Sakamoto, who is famously known as a veteran director, has an impressive career that exceeds three decades. His most prominent work that shines on a global scale is ‘Zatoichi: The Last and Another World.’ His style, regarding storytelling and film projects, exudes an extraordinary sense of intimacy. Instead of a direct narrative, Climbing for Life takes the form of a commentary about the power of endurance, ambition, and the unremarked efforts which lie behind the scenes of triumph. The script is penned by Riko Sakaguchi, who takes inspiration from Tabei’s autobiography ‘My Mountain Life – Up and Down,’ allowing us a journey that goes beyond the mountains of snow to its success, struggles, and family ties that defined her extraordinary life.
A Stellar Cast Brings Humanity and Depth to Tabei’s Story
The part of Junko Tabei is played by Sayuri Yoshinaga, a four-time winner of the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actress, with the prestigious status of being considered a national treasure. It has been over a decade since she last worked with Sakamoto on a project, and her portrayal of Tabei is expected to encompass the elegance and strength of the mountain climber, as well as the fragility of a woman who bore the burden of her accomplishments in both spirit and body. Non (Rena Nōnen) takes the role of a younger Tabei, along with a solid supporting cast that includes Koichi Sato and Yuki Amami.
According to the festival organizers, the movie is both very personal and universal in nature. However, aside from being about Tabei’s climb to the top of Everest and the completion of the Seven Summits, it is also about the price of ambition, how her ambition sometimes throws a long shadow over her loved ones. It also talks about her life towards the end, when despite her terminal illness, she continued to climb.
Sakamoto Honors Tradition While Showcasing Yoshinaga’s Enduring Brilliance
What Sakamoto finds particularly significant about the selection of his film as the opening choice of TIFF is: “Although the production process of filmmaking has been dramatically altered in the digital era,” he said in an interview, “the joy of sharing a film with audiences on the big screen and masterful sound design remains timeless. This film also stands as a testament to the enduring talent of Yoshinaga Sayuri, a national treasure who has graced the pinnacle of stardom for generations.”
This was echoed by programming director Shozo Ichiyama, who praised the performance of actress Yoshinaga and the careful direction of Sakamoto. Of Climbing for Life, he said: “This is one of the most moving works of the year, and its themes of tenacity, family, and the realization of dreams will transcend the boundaries of Japan.” Distributed by Kino Films, Climbing for Life is set to open in Japanese cinemas on October 31, mere days after its festival premiere. With the 38th TIFF set to continue until November 5th, the selection of this film as its opener promises that the festival will begin with a tale of bravery, humanity, and the mountains that created a legend, rather than one of glitz and spectacle.
