Beautiful Boxer

Beautiful Boxer

drama, Thailand 2003, 116 min

Based on a true story, the Beautiful Boxer is a film about Nong Toom, a Thai Boxer, who embarks on a successful fighting career in order to finance his gender correction operation. This fast-moving and enjoyable film follows Nong Toom, actually Parinya Charoenphol, on his way to grand arenas, fame and the top of Thai Boxing.

Nong Toom is played by Asanee Suwan, a Thai Boxer appearing in his first film. His sensitive and brilliant portrayal won him the Supannahongsa award (the Thai equivalent of an Oscar). Other boxers featured in the film are also played by professionals, including the female Japanese wrestler Kyoko Inoue, who plays herself in the match, which became a defining moment in Nong Toom's career.

Nong Toom is a woman in a man's body and Thai Boxing is an exceedingly masculine sport - this conflict gives the film its strong dramatic foundation. Trans-subjects are nothing new to Thai films, but often these gà'tuhy characters are portrayed as ridiculous caricatures. In Beautiful Boxer the main character is a captivating person, who invites the viewer to share his life. This film has been shown this year at e.g. the Berlin Film Festival, at the Hong Kong and San Francisco International Film Festivals and at the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Krista Ojutkangas