LIFE IS CLIMBING

Conquering the Insurmountable

Venue(s): Arcadia Ichigaya, 4-2-25 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0073 Japan
April 19 (Sat), 2025: 14:00 - 16:00
Language: Japanese with English subtitles
Official website: synca.jp/lifeisclimbing/
Theater website: peatix.com/event/4294055
Theater website: bit.ly/43Mi5cu
Trailer: https://bit.ly/3S52EWy
Tariff: Advance ticket: ¥2,000
Advance tickets: https://peatix.com/event/4294055

Title: ライフ・イズ・クライミング！ (Life is Climbing!)
Director: Sokichi Nakahara (中原 想吉)
Duration: 89 min

For outdoor adventurers and fans of feel-good stories about overcoming remarkable odds, there is a one-time screening of this extraordinary documentary that you won’t want to miss. Directed by Sokichi Nakamura, it traces the incredible journey of Koba (Koichiro Kobayashi), a blind paraclimber, and his companion Naoya (Naoya Suzuki), who becomes his eyes as Koba tackles the dangerous sport of rock climbing.

Their remarkable partnership leads to four consecutive Paraclimbing World Championships. Then, in 2021, they set their sights on the red sandstone spires of the Fisher Towers in Utah, USA, and Nakamura is there to record what happens next.

As the official website puts it: “The expedition unfolds in a realm of unimaginable wilderness, where dynamic rock formations have evolved over hundreds of millions of years. Here, they reunite with Eric Weihenmayer, a blind climber who has triumphed over the highest peaks on all seven continents, profoundly influencing Koba's life.

“Amidst the breathtaking landscapes, an infectious positivity radiates from the duo, marked by smiles that overflow and an unyielding bond. The climax of their journey arrives, posing an intriguing question: How can a climber without sight conquer the enigmatic rock spires, guided solely by the voice of his partner? The duo confronts a seemingly insurmountable and audacious challenge, testing the limits of their abilities and resilience.”

Arcadia Ichigaya