B.

Toni Sommer was the most popular and successful 'Schwinger' of his time in Switzerland’s traditional wrestling sport. Since the fatal accident that claimed the life of his opponent and best friend, he’s been living anonymously and lonely in a suburb of Bern. His energy and his zest for life have left him, and the only friend he has is the grave of his former opponent. Hiro, a 10-year-old boy who lives with his grandma one floor above Sommer’s flat disturbs Sommer’s reclusiveness. Hiro wants only one thing – to become a great sumotori, a sumo wrestler.

When his grandma dies unexpectedly, Hiro persuades the grumpy Sommer to take him to a sumo stall in his home country, Japan. And so a journey starts from Bernto Tokyo and across Japan. In a humorous and touching way, the film tells the story of a struggle between two vastly different characters and how they develop a deep friendship.

Screened in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland, Wellington.

Duration: 98 mins
Language: Swiss-German with English subtitles

Rating: M – offensive language and sexual references