Beautiful Boxer (2004)

Director:

Ekachai Uekrongtham

Writers:

Desmond Sim
Ekachai Uekrongtham

Release Date:

29 April 2004 (Singapore)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Based on the true story of a remarkable champion.

Plot:

Based on the real life story of Parinya Charoenphol, a Muaythai boxer who underwent a sex change operation to become a woman...

Plot Keywords:

Kickboxer | Thai Boxing | Hand To Hand Combat | Martial Arts | Transvestite

Awards:

6 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Asanee Suwan	...	Nong Toom / Parinaya Charoemphol
Sorapong Chatree	...	Pi Chart
Orn-Anong Panyawong	...	Nong Toom's mother
Nukkid Boonthong	...	Nong Toom's father
Sitiporn Niyom	...	Nat
Kyôko Inoue	...	Herself (Female Wrestler) (as Kyoko Inoue)
Keagan Kang	...	Jack (the Reporter)
Yuka Hyodo	...	Japanese fan
Somsak Tuangmkuda	...	Pi Moo
Tanyabuth Songsakul	...	Tam
Sarawuth Tangchit	...	Nong Toom
Natee Pongsopol	...	Nong Toom
Samnuan Sangpali	...	Anaconda
Natawuth Singlek	...	Ramba
Pat Sasipragym	...	Hercules
Denkamol Kiatbussaba	...	Power King
Ittipol Varuthirakorn	...	Samson
Lampangchai Kiatsunanta	...	Mountain Top
Payakpanlan Kiatmongeorn	...	Night Tiger
Pi Day	...	Cabaret show girl
Narisara Soneaim	...	Prostitute
Watchkarn Krinmueng	...	Female reporter
Kazuhiko Nobukane	...	Japanese ringmaster
Erik Markus Schuetz	...	Hooligan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Don Ferguson	...	Patpong Hooligan
Parinya Kiatbusaba	...	Beauty Parlor masseuse

Directed by
Ekachai Uekrongtham

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Desmond Sim
Ekachai Uekrongtham

Produced by
Ekachai Uekrongtham	....	producer

Original Music by
Amornbhong Methakunavudh

Cinematography by
Choochart Nantitanyatada		(director of photography)

Makeup Department
Kraisorn Sampethchareon	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bancha Chongon	....	second assistant director
Naradol Liaopairoj	....	first assistant director
Woradej Pongpinyophat	....	third assistant director

Sound Department
Narathip Tungkaseranee	....	boom operator
Jasmin Vorabutr	....	sound editor

Stunts
Kadam Chaipanich	....	muay thai consultant
Don Ferguson	....	utility stunts
David Ismalone	....	stunts
Erik Markus Schuetz	....	stunt actor: fight sequence

Other crew
Winston Emano	....	publicist
David Magdael	....	publicist
Sumeth Mangrichan	....	continuity
Kazuhiko Nobukane	....	wrestling consultant
Suthsawat Sutcharitkul	....	personality consultant
Sanae Taptimthong	....	fight choreographer

Production Companies

• GMM Pictures Co.

Distributors

• Regent Releasing (2005) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• here! Films (2005) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Art Port (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Cinemien (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Deal (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• Viva Films (2006) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Antiprod (2006) (France) (DVD)
• EuroVideo (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Homescreen (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Palisades Tartan (2009) (UK) (all media)
• eTHAICD (2004) (worldwide) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Reeltime Creative  creative advertising materials (Trailers, Posters, Websites)

Also Known As:

"Biutiful Boksoe" - Thailand (Thai title) (alternative title)
"Gyönyörű harcos" - Hungary
"Omorfos pygmahos" - Greece (festival title)

Runtime:

Brazil:118 min | USA:118 min

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai | English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Malaysia:18PL | Australia:M | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:PG | USA:Unrated | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

GMM Pictures Co.

Trivia:

Cameo: [Parinya Charoenphol]the facial masseuse in the beauty parlor scene.

Movie Connections:

References K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

A poignant mix of testosterone and estrogen charged struggles within oneself..

I had the good fortune to catch the movie in my country Singapore, where the local audience has been warming up to Thai movies in recent months, no less thanks to other Thai movies in the same league that has made an impact here - notably "Ong Bak" and "Fan Chan".

While Beautiful Boxer marks theatre director Ekachai Uekrongtham's directorial debut in the cinematic stage(previously best known for his Chang & Eng musical), it certainly packs a poignant & powerful punch with a deftly artistic element that will pave the way for his future movies to come.

Actor Asanee Suwan does a fine job as reel-life Nong Toom struggling to make enough money as a thai kick boxer to undergo the knife in his dream to become a real woman. The director treats his audience to a refreshing array of kick boxing stunts coupled with his artistic creativity that makes the action and poignant scenes commendable and touching. The inner struggles faced by Nong Toom as he battle the collision of testosterone and estrogen within his body and soul delivers the true essence and spirit of the movie that makes watching it an uplifting experience. The close relationship and love he gets from his endearing mother soothes his inner pain and cushion the degree of sympathy showered on his potrayal as a pitiful character.

Some of us can probably resonate with his pain and inner conflicts as there are often setbacks that leaves us "emotionally crippled". The reflective scenes with plenty of natural scenary could, however, been better choreographed with more grace to create a more sombre mood. Above all, Asanee potrays the character with tremendous aplomb and steely will, and was duly rewarded with a 2004 Thai Suppanahongsa Best Actor Award.

As my tagline suggests, its rare to see such a testosterone and estrogen charged movie within the same character A commendable effort that will turn the spotlight on finer Thai movies to come. 4 stars out of 5. - Tukta's Sarmee