Watch The Surrounding Game

The Surrounding Game is a documentary that explores the world of Go, a complex and ancient board game played by millions around the globe. The film delves into the culture and philosophy of the game and follows a young American player named Ben, who travels to China to compete in the sport's most prestigious tournament. The movie features interviews with some of the game's most accomplished players, including Lee Sedol, considered by many to be the greatest Go player of all time. Sedol became famous around the world when he faced off against Google's artificial intelligence algorithm in a highly publicized match in 2016. In The Surrounding Game, he offers insights into the psychology of the sport and describes the intense mental effort required to stay ahead of opponents.

The documentary also introduces viewers to other highly skilled players, including Allan Abramson, the founder of the American Go Association, and Keith Arnold, a two-time US National Champion. We see these masters in action as they compete in tournaments and offer advice and guidance to younger players.

Along with exploring the history and strategy of Go, the film touches on other issues, such as the cultural differences between the East and West and the role of technology in the evolution of the game. We see how Go has been used as a teaching tool in schools and how it has been integrated into other areas of popular culture, such as anime and manga.

The film's main protagonist is Ben, a likable and talented young player who is hoping to make a name for himself in the highly competitive world of Go. We follow him as he trains for the tournament in China and get a sense of the hard work and dedication that it takes to excel at the game. Through Ben's journey, we see the challenges that face young players, such as finding sponsors and navigating the tricky politics of the sport.

The Surrounding Game is beautifully shot and expertly edited, with stunning footage from locations around the world. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques, such as animation and digital graphics, to help explain the complexities of the game in a visually engaging way. The movie also features an original score by composer Avi Fox-Rosen, which underscores the drama and emotion of the story.

Overall, The Surrounding Game is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary that will appeal to both players of Go and those who are new to the sport. The film does an excellent job of capturing the beauty and depth of the game, as well as its importance in the cultural history of Asia. For anyone interested in learning more about Go or in exploring the nexus of sports, art, and philosophy, this film is essential viewing.

The Surrounding Game is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.