When asked by the moderator how he was feeling when Mr. Mori came back to the oval for his return race, Director Hosaka replied, "Tears, tears. I was crying even before I started running (laughs), but she came back in first place by a landslide," he said, describing his feelings at the time. Mr. Mori said, "I didn't expect to come in first place either. I got weak just before the race," he confessed.

However, when the director revealed that he was "encouraged" by the message sent to him just before his return, Mori said, "Shingo-chan told me, 'It's okay even if you lose,' and 'You have a chance in life, until you die. Tsuyopon also told me, 'If you make it back, you win. That took the pressure off me, and I was able to go out there and enjoy myself," she said with a shy smile.

He laughs, "I hear that the numbness in my legs will never go away," but his efforts to keep running are extraordinary. When asked by the moderator what motivates him, he replied, "My love for auto racing and the existence of the five (former SMAP members).

The audience also applauded when it was revealed that they are continuing to shoot for the sequel. The director was concerned that since they now see each other two or three times a week for filming, they might not want to see each other anymore, but in fact, they are so close that they go out for drinks and even sing karaoke together. When asked by the moderator, "What is your favorite song, Mr. Mori? He replied, "It's 'Egao no Genki' ('Genki with a smile'). I like 'Kimiiro koukoumeme' (I like 'Kimi color koukou'). When the director said, "The upper body is choreographed," the fans' voltage rose and they cheered, "Sing it! The fans cheered, "Sing it!

In response to a question from a fan, "What allows you to be so kind and strong to others, Mr. Mori?" He was asked, "The doctor at the hospital asked me that too. I think I can be kind to people because I have experienced everything, including hard times, happy times, and pain," to which a fan replied, "I think it's because we are SMAP! He then replied, "That's one word, isn't it! He laughed bitterly. The audience applauded and the air was warm.

Afterwards, the director and Mr. Mori saw each guest off individually, saying, "As a token of our gratitude.

In closing, the director said, "I believe that the fact that this became a movie and that Mr. Mori came to greet the audience on stage was because he wants to protect auto racing. I hope that you will not only support Mr. Mori, but also continue to support auto racer Katsuyuki Mori. I hope that you will visit the race tracks, buy tickets in moderation (laughs), and continue to support the auto racing tracks so that they can continue to exist," he said enthusiastically.

Mr. Mori said, "I hope that when I come in front of my fans like this, they will come back to play with me in order to make auto racing more exciting. I will continue to run as hard as I can, so I would be happy if you could support me as much as possible," he said in his message.

TBS Documentary Film Festival 2023will be held from Friday, May 12 to Thursday, May 25, 2023. There are other films to be screened, so please check the official website and visit the theater.

"Auto Racer Katsuyuki Mori: To the Promised Oval"
Director: Yuki Hosaka / 1h20min
In January 2021, he was involved in a car accident. Five major surgeries and paralysis in both legs were the aftereffects of the accident. Even so, Katsuyuki Mori never gave up on walking and running again. This documentary follows his two-year struggle to recover from the disaster at the age of 50.

［Screening dates at UPLINK Kyoto: May 18 (Thu), May 21 (Sun), May 25 (Thu), 2023)

TBS Documentary Film Festival 2023" Special Price / Adults 1500 yen, Seniors (60+) 1300 yen, Youth (19-22) 1000 yen, Under 18 (16-18) 800 yen, Juniors (15 and under) 500 yen