Climbing for Life
| Climbing for Life | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Japanese | てっぺんの向こうにあなたがいる |
| Literally | You are there, beyond the top |
| Directed by | Junji Sakamoto |
| Screenplay by | Riko Sakaguchi |
| Based on | Life With its Ups and Downs by Junko Tabei |
| Produced by | Rioko Tominaga |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Norimichi Kasamatsu |
| Edited by | Shinichi Fushima |
| Music by | Goro Yasukawa |
Production company | Kino Films |
| Distributed by | Kino Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 123 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Climbing for Life (てっぺんの向こうにあなたがいる) is a 2025 Japanese biographical film directed by Junji Sakamoto about the life of Junko Tabei. Starring Sayuri Yoshinaga as Tabei, it chronicles her historic 1975 ascent of Mount Everest, making her the first woman to do so, and follows her life as a pioneering mountaineer. It is based on her essay Life, With its Ups and Downs.[1][2]
It had its premiere on September 19, 2025, in the Special Screening section of the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival.[3]
The film opened the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2025, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her Everest achievement.[4][5]
Cast
- Sayuri Yoshinaga as Junko Tabe, based on Junko Tabei
- Rena Nōnen as young Junko Tabe
- Ryuya Wakaba as Shintaro Tabe
- Kōichi Satō as Masaaki Tabe
- Asuka Kudo as young Masaaki Tabe
- Fumino Kimura as Norie Tabe
- Wan Marui as Hiroe Iwata
- Wako Ando as Risako Shimizu
- Chisato Nakai as Kaoruko Maruyama
- Misa Wada as Ryoko Arai
- Yūki Amami as Etsuko Kitayama
- Mizuki Kayashima as young Etsuko
Production
Principal photography commenced on August 18, 2024, in diverse locations across Japan—including all six Kanto prefectures, along with Nagano, Yamanashi, Fukushima, and Toyama. It was shot in snow-covered mountain regions, amid blizzard conditions.[6] It was wrapped up in November 2024.[7]
Release
Climbing for Life had its premiere at the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 19 September 2025.[8] It will also be presented in Spotlight on Japan section of the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival on October 17, 2025.[9]
The film opened the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2025,[10] and Asian Film Festival Barcelona, on October 29, 2025.[11]
On October 29, it was screened at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in Cineaste Delights section.[12]
The film is scheduled for release on October 31, 2025 in Japanese theatres by Kino Films.[13][14]
References
- ^ "吉永小百合、124本目の映画は阪本順治監督と13年ぶりタッグ！ 世界初女性エベレスト登頂に成功した田部井淳子さん生涯描く" [Sayuri Yoshinaga teams up with director Junji Sakamoto for the first time in 13 years for her 124th film, which depicts the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to successfully climb Mount Everest.] (in Japanese). Eiga. August 21, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "てっぺんの向こうにあなたがいる" [Climbing for Life]. Kinema Junposha (in Japanese). Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ Rivera, Alfonso (September 1, 2025). "San Sebastián completes its selection". Cineuropa. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ Abid Rahman (September 7, 2025). "Tokyo: Junji Sakamoto's 'Climbing for Life' to Open Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ Michael Rosser (September 8, 2025). "Junji Sakamoto's 'Climbing For Life' to open Tokyo film festival 2025". ScreenDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "のん、吉永小百合の青年期役にプレッシャー感じる「瞳のパワーを表現できないか研究」" [Non feels pressure to play Yoshinaga Sayuri's young role: "I'm researching whether I can express the power of her eyes"] (in Japanese). Natalie Movies. May 13, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "吉永小百合・阪本順治が13年ぶりタッグ、女性初のエベレスト登頂者・田部井淳子の生涯を映画化" [Sayuri Yoshinaga and Junji Sakamoto team up for the first time in 13 years to film the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mount Everest] (in Japanese). Natalie Movies. August 21, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "Climbing for Life". San Sebastián International Film Festival. September 1, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "Climbing for Life". Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (September 7, 2025). "Everest Pioneer Tabei Junko Biopic 'Climbing for Life' to Open Tokyo Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "Climbing for Life". Asian Film Festival Barcelona. October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "Climbing for Life". Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ "映画『てっぺんの向こうにあなたがいる』10月31日公開決定" [The film "You Are Beyond the Top" will be released on October 31st] (in Japanese). Kinoshita Group. May 15, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "The poster visual and special trailer for the movie "Teppen no Mukou ni Anata ga Iru" starring NON have been unveiled". Non. June 4, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.