'Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing' Review

Erik Shirai's ESPN-produced documentary, 'Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing,' has premiered at Venice, offering a handsome ode to the oft-disrespected sport. The film aims to correct Western perceptions by following sumo wrestlers at various career stages, from rookies to the veteran yokozuna Terunofuji. Praised for its artful production and respectful lens, the documentary finds humanity and beauty in sumo. However, critics note its somewhat sanitized approach, avoiding controversies and only briefly addressing the sport's declining popularity in Japan, though it powerfully conveys the athletes' dedication and physicality.