Junji Sakamoto’s Climbing for Life has been set as the opening night film for the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival.
Climbing for Life will have its world premiere on Oct. 27. The epic biopic tells the story of the late legendary Japanese female mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to ascend Mount Everest, and the first woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge, climbing the highest peak on every continent. Climbing for Life‘s release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Tabei summiting Everest, an event which captivated the world and made her a national hero in Japan.
Fittingly, Tabei is played by beloved Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, the winner of four best actress awards from the Japanese Academy, the most of any artist. The cast also includes Koichi Sato, Yuki Amami and Non (Rena Nōnen) playing a younger version of Tabei.
The screenplay was written by Riko Sakaguchi, based on the late Tabei’s memoir My Mountain Life – Up And Down. The feature is the 31st from the veteran filmmaker Sakamoto (Tekken, Another World, KT, Zatoichi: The Last) who also directed Yoshinaga in A Chorus of Angels.
“It is a true honor for our film to be selected as the opening film of the 38th TIFF,” Sakamoto said in a statement. “Although the production process of filmmaking has been dramatically altered in the digital era, 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 Sayuri Yoshinaga, a national treasure who has graced the pinnacle of stardom for generations. I very much look forward to seeing you enjoy the film in the theater!”
Shozo Ichiyama, the programming director for Toyko Film Festival, added in a statement, “Climbing for Life chronicles the inspiring story of a real-life female mountaineer and her devoted family. With a remarkable lead performance by Sayuri Yoshinaga and meticulous direction by director Junji Sakamoto, this film earns a place as one of the year’s most touching films. I am confident that its universal themes will deeply move audiences across the globe. It is a privilege for us to open the Tokyo International Film Festival with this wonderful work.”
Kino Films will distribute Climbing for Life in Japan, with the film getting a theatrical release on Oct. 31.
The 2025 Tokyo Film Festival runs from Oct. 27 through to Nov. 5.
AloJapan.com