Masayuki Suo | Japan | 1992

105 mins | Rating to be advised | Japanese with English subtitles

A university sumo club has only one member. His admiration of sumo and its traditions is sadly not matched by his ability in the ring. A university professor manages to recruit other members using reasons ranging from gaining credit for classes not attended, free accommodation for a Westerner, attraction to a female ‘manager’ and a loner who joins because someone paid him some attention. Despite various trials and tribulations, these ‘misfits’, somehow or other, manage to bond together as a cohesive group. They develop the dedication to training and hard work which is necessary to win for themselves and each other.