You couldn’t make it up! The bizarre true story of the man who became Thailand’s most famous kick-boxer to pay for an operation to become a woman…
Well, they do say truth is stranger than fiction, but the real life story of Thai kick-boxer Parinya Charoenphol is something else!
Even as a child Parinya, also known as Nong Toom (played by Asanee Suwan) always knew he was different from other boys. Happier playacting with makeup and flowers in his hair, his parents don’t know quite what to make of him – even sending him off to be a monk. Nong soon realises that he really wants to be a girl, yet his poor background puts the cost of the necessary operation way beyond his means.
Quite by chance Nong finds that he has a natural aptitude for kickboxing, defeating an opponent in a rural match. After joining Pi Chart’s (Sorapong Chatree) Muay Thai training camp, Nong finds success in the ring. When Pi finds out about his predilection for make-up that – rather than expel him from camp – he realises this might be the way to finally get noticed on a national scale and make the big time. Before too long Nong has become one of the most famous kick-boxers ever, but can he really equate himself with the extreme violence of the sport?
Of course, there have been several Muay Thai or kickboxing films released off the back of Ong-Bak’s popularity. Unlike many of them, however, Beautiful Boxer really deserved its wider release. It’s a solid, remarkably poignant film that effectively turns the Rocky mould of a struggling boxer who makes good – with all its machismo – on its head. A real life offbeat story defies genre classification, it unites very different audiences, attracting as much interest from the gay community as action fans.
Director Ekachai Uekrongtham competently brings the story to the screen, convincingly portraying both the action of the ring and drama of Nong’s confusion about himself, all with a keen eye for style. Weaknesses in the script come from common mistakes made in biography films. For instance, the device of having the lead relate his story to a reporter seems rather unnecessary, even if it does offer one of the visual highlights of the film as Nong comes to the reporters rescue in high heels – ouch! That’s gotta hurt!
It doesn’t help that the lead Asanee Suwan recounts his memoirs in English, which is so obviously not his language. (Presumably this was to help obtain an international market for the picture?) Yet Asanee’s performance is outstanding, especially considering he’s actually a professional kick-boxer himself (and has been since the age of 12). Uekrongtham reaps solid performances from the cast, as well as an appearance from Japanese wrestler Kyoko Inoue playing herself and a cameo by Parinya Charoenphol herself in a beauty parlour.
The result is an uplifting and touching movie, where even Nong’s parents are portrayed as pretty supportive of their son and his wishes, despite their poverty. Fascinating, and very different from any other martial arts film you’ll see, this is well worth checking out!
DVD details
Distributor: Tartan DVD (UK)
The full UK DVD release on 22 January 2006 promises an exclusive interview with director Ekachai Uekrongtham, and subtitled interviews with director actor Asanee Sawan and the real Parinya Charoenphol, a director's commentary and Making Of featurette.
