BEAUTIFUL BOXER
Year: 2003
USA: Regent Releasing
UK: Tartan Films
Cast: Asanee Suwan, Sorapong Chatree, Orn-Anong Panyawong, Kyoko Inoue, Sitiporn Niyom, Yuka Hyodo, Keagan Kang, Nukkid Boonthong, Somsak Tuangmkuda, Tanyabuth Songsakul, Sarawuth Tangchit, Natee Pongsopol, Nattama Narkpo, Chayaporn Tometh, Panuwath Kongsamuth, Yingyod Permpoonsap, Padung Kullapat, Nannam Simala, Nopparat Dontapo, Lae Saewang, Supak Pititham, Anurak Sangsuwan, Samnuan Sangpali, Natawuth Singlek, Pat Sasipragym, Denkamol Kiatbussaba, Ittipol Varuthirakorn, Lampangchai Kiatsunanta, Payakpanlan Kiatmongeorn, Anantasak Lukbanyai, Cherrylek Kiatbussaba, Duchkanov Dmitri, Richard Simko, Sasima Vetchasadornkul, Parinya Charoenphol, Pi Day, Narisara Soneaim, Piruth Tulanon, Usanee Wattana, Yuthana Raktham, Kadam Chaipanich, Orasa Kaewkeaukul, Anuchit Nuengniyom, Watchkarn Krinmueng, Napat Puri, Pongsatorn Pankonsung, Kazuhiko Nobukane, Jeffrey Snyder, Nagai Megumi, Marisa Osawa, Shigeki Isawa, David Ismalone, Eric Teglave - Hang, Don Ferguson, Mahalious Walker
Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Country: Thailand
Language: Thai (English subtitles)
UK: 112 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong violence
USA Release Date: 21 January 2005 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 21 October 2005 (Limited Release - London)
Synopsis
Based on the true story of Thailand's famed transvestite kickboxer, BEAUTIFUL BOXER is a poignant action drama that punches straight into the heart and mind of a boy who fights like a man so he can become a woman.
Believing he's a girl trapped in a boy's body since childhood, Parinya Charoenphol (affectionately known as Nong Toom in Thailand) sets out to master the most masculine and lethal sport of Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) to earn a living and to achieve his ultimate goal of total femininity. Touching, funny and packed with breathtaking Thai kickboxing scenes, BEAUTIFUL BOXER traces Nong Toom's childhood, teenage life as a traveling monk, grueling days in boxing camps and explosive matches where he knocks out most of his opponents across Thailand and Japan.
Winner of two Thai 'Oscars' for Best Actor and Best Makeup, the film had its international premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. It has since garnered 10 international awards to date including Best Feature Film awards from Milan, Brussels, Montreal and Torino plus a string of other awards from Los Angeles, San Sebastian, Seattle, Oslo and India.