It has been announced that the documentary film "Auto Racer Mori Katsuyuki: The Promised Oval Theatrical Version" (directed by Hosaka Yuki), which follows the former SMAP member and auto racer Mori Katsuyuki, will be released nationwide from November 29th. Mori went from being a top idol to becoming an auto racer, which was his dream, and won his first Japanese championship. The film explores Mori's way of life, who then suffered a fall from his bike and made a comeback after rehabilitation. Mori commented, "I hope that through this film, people will be able to feel the reason why I fight." This film is a re-edited version of "Auto Racer Mori Katsuyuki: To the Promised Oval," which was screened at the TBS Documentary Film Festival in March 2023, with a large amount of additional footage, and has new content that highlights the source of Mori's indomitable fighting spirit. Mori became an auto racer in 1996, won his debut race in 1997, won the Rookie of the Year award the following year in 1998, won the GII in his seventh year, and the G1 in his 13th year, ranking first at Kawaguchi Auto, the team he was a member of. In November 2020, in his 24th year, he achieved his long-cherished dream of winning the SG Japan Championship for the first time. However, just 82 days later, he fell off his bike during a race and suffered a serious injury that put his life in danger. For two years until he returned to racing, he underwent several surgeries and continued to undergo hard rehabilitation.
What motivates him to continue racing, even after suffering an injury that threatened his career? And what does he think now that he has turned 50? Over the course of three years, the camera was filmed in hospitals, race tracks, and places that hold memories from his childhood, and through long interviews with his relatives, fellow racers, his doctor, and himself, what emerges is the unchanging bond and passion he has with his family and friends...
The full comments from Mori and Director Hosaka are as follows.
◇Comment from Mori Katsuyuki
28 years ago, I decided to make a living in the world of auto racing, not on the stage of showbiz. An injury three years ago left me with paralysis in my leg, but there are still many challenges I want to take on at this oval. I'm not 50 anymore, I'm still 50. I hope that through this film, viewers can feel why I fight.
◇Comment from Director Hosaka Yuki
Mori Katsuyuki walked on a leg that was predicted to be impossible to walk again, and made a comeback with a body that was thought to have no chance of returning, and returned to the forefront of professional racing. I was fascinated by his way of life, where he sometimes publicly proclaims dreams that are too big, and keeps pushing himself until he achieves them, so I have been filming him for the past three years. I believe that his fearlessness in taking on challenges no matter how old he is will remind us of important things that we may have almost forgotten.
