Directed by: Yoshitaka Mori
2016
/ 124 minutes
/ Recommended for aged 12+
MORE THAN JUST A GAME
Satoshi: A Move For Tomorrow is a biographical film about the life of Satoshi Murayama, a talented and passionate Shogi (Japanese chess) player who died of bladder cancer at 29. Murayama developed a serious kidney infection at the age of 5, which was when he first encountered shogi as a way to distract himself while confined in hospital. Shogi became his life-long passion and, alongside manga, was all he ever knew.
Portrayed by Kenichi Matsuyama (Rage, Bunny Drop) with great intensity, Murayama spends the last four years of his life in the public eye, competing professionally for the title of meijin (champion). Away from the limelight, he fights a different struggle, battling a life-long ailment on his own and in secret from his friends and family.
After advancing to the professional league in his 20’s, Murayama moves from Osaka to Tokyo, determined to beat the reigning meijin, young shogi master Habu. Despite his worsening condition, Murayama’s fervent dedication to the game was so pure that he would risk death in pursuit of perfection.
Director: Yoshitaka Mori
Producers: Ryoko Nozoe, Yoshitaka Takeda, Takuro Nagai, Takeshi Kikuchi and Kazuto Takida
Original Story: Yoshio Osaki
Screenplay: Kosuke Mukai
Cast: Kenichi Matsuyama, Shota Sometani, Lily Franky, Ken Yasuda, Masahiro Higashide, Tokio Emoto and Michitaka Tsutsui
Genre: Biographical
Format: DCP colour
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