Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Go is an ancient game that has enamoured eastern intellectuals for thousands of years. It is a game of few rules and infinite strategies. It rewards the player who owns the most territory by the game’s end, but has gained little ground here in the West. The Surrounding Game is a documentary that seeks to change this by inspiring American youth to not only play the game, but to excel at it as well.
The Film follows the growth of Go in America, and focuses on a group of young men who endeavour to become the country’s first professional players. It is helmed by two members of the American Collegiate Go Association (Will Lockhart & Cole Pruitt), and is fueled by the passion of its key figures, Andy Liu and Ben Lockhart. The first is an aloof prodigy, and the second is a disciple of the art form. Together they take the viewer through the highs and humbling lows of the game. In addition, the history and beauty of the game is revealed through a variety of enlightening interviews. Numerous figures in the Go world help elevate the audience’s understanding of the game, while also enticing them to play.
Considering the recent success of AI in the game of Go, it is high time for millennial minds to learn more about it. Thanks to the Canadian Sport Film Festival, interested viewers in the GTA have the chance to see this documentary in a theatre near you.
THE SURROUNDING GAME screens as part of the Canadian Sport Film Festival on Saturday, June 10, 2017
11:30AM. More here and other Films: http://www.sportfilmfestival.ca/schedule.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com