Beautiful Boxer (film): great film but can make some people uneasy
Beautiful Boxer is the true story of Parinya Charoenphol, more commonly known as "Nong Toom." Toom was born a boy but throughout his life he started to realize that he was interested if not fascinated with the more feminine things in life and of course faces some ridicule for this. Thus begins the long struggle to actually become a woman, and not just that, to become one of the best Thai boxers in the world in the process.
This subject matter can make some people terribly uneasy, and that is understandable. But i do want you to understand that Toom's quest to become a woman is presented in an almost entirely non-sexual fashion if that makes any sense. IE there isn't a bunch of dude-on-dude scenes - i don't think there are any.
If you are opposed to this sort of thing like people wanting (and getting) sex-changes then maybe this isn't the right movie for you. I'm not trying to make anyone uncomfortable. But if you look to the left of that picture above, those are just a few of the awards that this movie has won. It was a favorite of many international festivals that year and is considered to be a poetic and beautiful masterpiece of sorts.
I think the contrast of wanting to be a woman but needing to do something that isn't feminine at all to accomplish this is quite fascinating. I wouldn't have believed this was a true story if someone hadn't told me so beforehand. The fact that this is a true story makes it even more amazing. The story is quite tragic at times and we can't help but feel really bad for Toom as the story progresses - but then also really admire her determination in the face of such overwhelming odds.
Something important to note is that transgenderism, being a ladyboy (called "Katoy" in Thai) has been an accepted part of Thai society for a very long time. In other countries I can kind of relate to why people have a problem with it but there is something about the society over here of "do no harm to others and do whatever you want" that kind of works. I have multiple friends who are ladyboys and they are some of the most fun and kindest people that I know.
The movie is not without its flaws, but this is mostly in the editing department and it is kind of forgivable because this was not a huge budget production.
A Beautiful Boxer" tells a touching story of a girl born into the wrong body, and who, through boxing, would eventually be able to become one through surgery. It's a story about overcoming one's fate.
Nong Toom was interested in dancing, putting on girl's makeup, and wearing woman's clothes from a very early age. His mother comments at the very beginning of the story that it was "just a fad", but it soon becomes clear that this isn't a phase; it's just the story of boy who should have been born a girl.
The writing and filming is solid and so is the pacing with the exception of a few moments. But what makes this film rise above its technical merits is its heart. The acting is superb. At some points, you forget that you're just watching a movie because it's clear that the actors, especially Nong Toom's Asanee Suwan, are really becoming their characters. Thanks to this, we get a plethora of heartfelt moments and really get a feel for a subject area that is relatively untouched, transsexuals. Sometimes transsexuals get a bad rep, but the fact is that these are real people who have to overcome the exceptional struggle of coming to term with their own gender identity while the people around you despise you, bully you, and at times make your life a living hell because they don't really understand.
Overall, Nong Toom is an exceptional movie with a psychological edge that is harshly realistic. I recommend it to everyone, because I believe it's a story that everyone should be familiar with.
I used to think transsexuals are very disgusting before watching this movie. But after watching it I'm quite neutral on this topic. If you understand the message of this film, you'll start to have some sympathy for these particular individuals. It's not really their choice, for example, in Thoom's case, he was born into that. They'll just continue to suffer living in a body they think they don't belong in.
Yesterday I watched "A Prayer Before Dawn", and I loved it. It's main story is also based on true events and it is built around a thai boxing style (muay thai). The story itself is quite disturbing, due to the fact that it is set in the most brutal prisons in Thailand, but regardless I recommend you watching it, I think you will like it too.
thanks pal, i had never heard of that one and will look into it now.
I watched this movie a few years back & i must've watched it every day til i had to return the dvd lol . . This movie has so much heart & alot of humour . . couldn't stop laughing . . anyone who hasn't seen it & loves True Stories needs to watch it . . Awesome Movie!
Wow I haven’t heard about this film, or person, and I’m quite surprised I haven’t! Especially with all of my Muay Thai training and time in Thailand over the years...
I’m going to read up about this some more and watch this film sometime soon - thank you for the suggestion and review!
Hiii... Gooddream
Great Post.
@gooddream that boxers story sounds interesting I wonder how I miss that I will definitely watch this film.
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Sometimes my life is much more unpredictable than the wildest fantasies. How can a manly boxer, crushing rivals one after another, dream of having to walk on his heels in a woman's dress? Does the winner want to become weak?
The majority are inclined to consider such people mentally unhealthy, not wanting to admit that not everything in life can be adjusted to a certain extent. In my opinion, one thing is quite obvious: if a person is ready to go to his goal, despite the condemnation and misunderstanding of others, then he is normal than all normal. Thoughts like "why should a cute guy do this to themselves?" Do not leave you throughout the entire viewing, but all doubts evaporate when you see Nong Toom in the ring with a powdered face and red lips ... At that moment he was more like an ancient warrior, face, in order to give yourself a more warlike appearance. So fierce and so natural, not like anyone, and always unbeatable. With this little detail, the whole action seemed to take on some kind of sacred character. And the public blindly believed that the guy cleverly used the publicity stunt, playing the role of jester, amusing the crowd. If I were in the audience, I would not doubt that this was just an original PR move. "It seemed that the more cosmetics there were on my face, the stronger my opponents tried to beat me, so I beat them back even more." And only the closest knew that it was at such moments he could be himself.
Asanee Suwan, not being an actor in fact, brilliantly performed his role (for which he was recognized as the best actor of 2003), fully revealing the image of such an ambiguous hero. Despite the fact that muay thai wearing gloves is not so spectacular (the original look of muai boran is much more interesting), the battles shown in the film are simply magnificent.
One who is ready to be a laughing stock for all for the sake of being able to remain oneself shows a great courage. I admire this man and the history of his life, so artistically embodied in the screen of Ekachai Uekrongtham. The film left an indelible impression.
I think we should not interfere in personal life of others. He/she have the right that how he want to present him/her.
You have many ladyboy friends, are you mean they are in between ? They are men or women, or they just pretend to be ladyboy ?