■ “The only thing that allowed me to keep going and not give up was the promise I made to the five of us.” (Mori Katsuyuki)
At the age of 22, at the height of his popularity as a member of SMAP, Mori Katsuyuki turned to his childhood dream of becoming an auto racer. The documentary film “Auto Racer Mori Katsuyuki: The Promised Oval – The Movie Version,” which delves into the depths of his life, will be released nationwide from November 29th.
The trailer and poster visuals, depicting the turbulent life of Mori Katsuyuki, have now been completed, and it has been revealed that actor Hagiwara Masato will be narrating the film.
In 1996, Mori Katsuyuki, who made the transition from a top idol to an auto racer while attracting attention from all over Japan, finally achieved his long-cherished dream of winning his first Japan Championship on November 3, 2020, after 24 years. However, just 82 days later, he fell off his bike during a race and suffered serious injuries that put his life in danger.
What was Mori thinking and what supported him during the two years leading up to his return to racing, during which he underwent numerous surgeries and endured intense rehabilitation? What motivated him to continue racing, even after suffering an injury that threatened his career? And what is Mori Katsuyuki thinking now that he has turned 50? Through three years of filming in hospitals, race tracks, and places that hold childhood memories, and through extensive interviews with his family, fellow racers, his doctor, and Mori himself, what emerges is the unchanging bond and passion he has with his family and friends.
This time, the poster visual shows Mori straddling a racing car and staring straight into the camera. The accompanying text, “Unyielding Man,” conveys his strong spirit as he continues to fight despite serious injuries without giving up. The visual is made up of stills capturing various expressions, such as his innocent smile at the beach or in the park, and the serious look he shows while maintaining his racing car or going through grueling rehabilitation, giving a glimpse into the turbulent life of one man.
The trailer, which was also released, begins with Mori with a shaved head as he says in 1996, “I want to be the top auto racer,” and goes on to reveal a part of his “life of continuing to compete at full strength” in a tough environment. Shortly after winning his first Japanese championship, Mori fell off his bike and sustained serious injuries. Paralyzed and unable to walk properly, he worked hard on rehabilitation as he confided his feelings to his brother, Hisanori. And what is the wish he puts into the six-colored star that shines on his helmet? The footage builds anticipation for this film, which shows a side of Mori Katsuyuki that no one has seen before and his way of life as it is.
In addition, actor Masato Hagiwara has been chosen to narrate the main story. Mori and Hagiwara co-starred in the third series of “3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi Sensei” which aired in 1988. The two have known each other since their teenage years and are still in contact, having held a class reunion in January 2024, and will co-star again in this work.
■ Comment from Masato Hagiwara
I have been in contact with Mori-kun since we co-starred in our teens, but there were many things I didn’t know about him, and the way he lived his life was depicted in a way that went far beyond my imagination.
That was the case for me as well, but I think that after watching this movie, there will be many people, regardless of age, who have given up but will now stand up.
Movie Information
“Auto Racer Mori Katsuyuki: The Promised Oval Movie Edition”
Friday, November 29th: Shinjuku Piccadilly, Kadokawa Cinema Yurakucho and other theaters nationwide
Cast: Katsuyuki Mori
Narration: Masato Hagiwara
Director and cinematographer: Yuki Hosaka
Production: TBS
Planning and production: TBS Television News Department, News Content Strategy Office
Production company: TBS Sparkle
Distributor: KADOKAWA
(C)TBS
Official movie website
autoracer-mori.com
Katsuyuki Mori OFFICIAL SITE
https://katsuyuki-mori.jp/
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