INTRODUCTION

"... A jumbo jet is disappeared?" On August 12, 1985, the worst plane crash occurs. A story of a press reporter who finds the meaning of life through his experiences of news reporting and mountain climbing.
From the Japanese bestseller, Hideo Yokoyama ("Sea Without Exit"/2006) comes another compelling story, "Climber's High," which is based on an actual event, taking 17 years for him to finish the book.
Masato Harada, a director from "Inugami" (2001), helms the film with the experienced actors Shinichi Tsutsumi ("Always - Sunset on Third Street"/2005), Masato Sakai ("Sukiyaki Western Django"/2007) and Tsutomu Yamazaki ("The Ramen Girl"/2008).

On August 12, 1985, a jumbo jet was crashed; the 524 passengers turned to 4 survivors and 520 fatalities, making the accident the biggest single-plane accident in the world. The local press reporters are tossed about by the waves of facts and rumors.
While overwhelmed by the magnitude of the accident, Yuuki, in charge of this crash report at a local newspaper, faces a string of decision-making moments. What are news and a reporter? How should a man do his work and survive in a corporate hierarchy? What do family and friends mean to him? An intriguing story, which keeps the audience on the edge of tension and reality.

Masato Harada - Director

Born 1949. Masato Harada moved to LA to interview various Hollywood filmmakers and write film reviews seriously from 1973. He made his directorial debut with "Goodbye Flickmania" in 1979. His road movie "Kamikaze Taxi" (1995) was internationally acclaimed, followed by "Bounce Ko Gals" (1997) and "INUGAMI" (2001), which was selected for Competition in Berlin International Film Festival.

Shinichi Tsutsumi - lead actor

Born 1964, after graduating from high school, Shinichi Tsutsumi joined the Japan Action Club. He has developed his reputable acting career with many stage, TV and screen performances. He won the Japan Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2005, for his role in "Always - Sunset on Third Street." His past works include, "One Missed Call" (2004), "Fly Daddy Dly" (2005), "Riding Metro" (2006), among others.

 

 

 

CREDITS
Shinichi Tsutsumi
Masato Sakai
Machiko Ono
Masahiro Takashima
Tsutomu Yamazaki

Director Masato Harada
Original Novel by Hideo Yokoyama
Screen Play by Masato Kato, Izuru Narushima, Masato Harada
Producer Rikei Kubo
Director of Photography Gen Kobayashi
Production Designer Katsuhiro Fukuzawa
Editor Hiroshi Sunaga, Eugene Harada
Music Takatsugu Muramatsu

(c) "Climber's High" Film Partners
2008 / Japan / 1:1.85 / A BeWild Production / Theatrical Release in Japan: July 2008