SPECIAL SCREENING of "THE WIDE WEST" with SUMO CHAMPIONS PANEL
MOVIE & PANEL
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SPECIAL SCREENING of "THE WIDE WEST"
with SUMO CHAMPIONS PANEL
Dates: Monday, June 2, 2025 Hours: 6:30pm-9:30pm (Doors Open 6:20pm)
Location: The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Hall (5700 Wilshire Blvd.,#100, Los Angeles, CA 90036) Panelists: Alexander Nevsky (Producer, Star), Andrew Freund (Producer)
Hiroki Sumi (Star) and Ichi (Star) Admission: FREE Reservation is required (Click Here)
The Sumo Wrestlers are coming!
This will be the world premiere of the film "The Wide West", inspired by the true, historic meeting between Japan's first sumo delegation and President Theodore Roosevelt in Washington D.C. in 1907. The screening will be held at JFLA, with the film's three BIG stars in attendance: three-time Mr. Universe Alexander Nevsky and Sumo Champions Hiroki Sumi and Ichi (former Ichinojo).
Following the film, there will be a discussion and Q&A with the producers and the stars. There will also be a photo session with the 3 stars, so be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity to take a photo with the 3-time Mr. Universe and the 2 Sumo Champions!
Also expected are director Joe Cornet, as well as co-stars Tatiana Neva, Nick Baillie, and Kaz Kobayashi.
SCHEDULE
6:30 pm: Reception
7:00 pm: Movie Screening
8:30 pm: Q&A Session with Producers and Stars
9:00 pm: Photo Opportunities with the stars (Hiroki, Ichi, Alexander)
9:30 pm: Close
MOVIE DESCRIPTION
Action / Western (2025, 85 min.)
THE WIDE WEST stars international action star and three-time Mr. Universe Alexander Nevsky and Sumo Champions Hiroki Sumi and Ichi. It is the first time EVER that REAL sumo wrestlers with Pro Sumo titles are starring in a feature film.
Plot: In 1907, for the first time ever, a Japanese sumo delegation visits the United States. On the way to visit the White House, to perform for President Roosevelt, they get delayed in a small Western town, where trouble awaits . . .
The Wide West is inspired by true events, starring elite athletes, and sharing the Japanese cultural treasure of sumo as a main feature of a Hollywood film, as an historic first.
Panelers :
ALEXANDER NEVSKY Producer, actor, former Mr. Universe
Alexander Nevsky was born in Moscow, Russian Federation. Graduated from State University of Management. Later moved to the USA, learned English at UCLA and studied acting at Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in Los Angeles.
Nevsky is a former bodybuilding champion, he won the Mister Universe title 3 times (at World Bodybuilding Federation / World Fitness Federation). He is a strong proponent of natural (drug-free) bodybuilding.
Nevsky’s first Hollywood film was Walter Hill's Undisputed, his credits also included Somewhere by Sofia Coppola.
Nevsky produced 15 international action films to date (Moscow Heat, Treasure Raiders, Magic Man and Showdown in Manila among others). He made his directorial debut with an action thriller Black Rose which was a theatrical box office hit in Europe and was released in North America by eOne / Sony (and later became available on Netflix). His other projects include big budget action comedy Maximum Impact directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die) and written by Ross LaManna (Rush Hour), and action Western Gunfight at Rio Bravo (which is Prime Video movie).
Nevsky is an active member of Producers Guild of America (PGA) and he voted for the Golden Globe Awards for 20 years (2003-2023). His production company Hollywood Storm is based in Beverly Hills, California.
Hiroki Sumi
Hiroki attained sekitori (elite) status in Japanese Pro Sumo, where he competed for 12 years. Since then, he has demonstrated sumo worldwide, in over 60 cities in about 10 countries. At 6'4", 570 lbs, he is currently the Heaviest elite-level Sumo Wrestler on Earth.
Hiroki has also participated in several WWE events, on multiple continents, and has appeared in dozens of TV shows, commercials, and films (including John Wick 4). He is most well-known for his lead role in the acclaimed 8-episode Netflix series "Sanctuary" (#1 on Japanese Netflix when it debuted), where he played "Shizuuchi" (rival to the main character).
ICHI (former "ICHINOJO")
Ichi reached close to the pinnacle of Pro Sumo with the elevated rank of sekiwake. He was ranked among the top 1% of ALL Pro Sumo wrestlers. He reached the top division at record pace (at the time), and in his career, he defeated 5 different "yokozuna" (Grand Champions) including Hakuho the GOAT. Most significantly, he won the Emperor's Cup (highest award in Pro Sumo), by winning the highest level tournament, outright, in July, 2022!
Since leaving Pro Sumo, Ichi has made nearly 100 appearances worldwide, for live events, TV shows, films, and more -- even touring 6 continents in the course of a few months. He has a fight scene in the 5th John Wick movie "Ballerina" (release on June 6, 2025). He is one of the largest living sumo wrestlers,at 6'4", 540 lbs.
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