Beautiful Boxer

Aroview: Fact-based actioner which follows a gifted 'Muay Thai' martial artist rising from his poor, rural background into the champions' league of stadium and tournament fighting, with the ultimate goal of financing a sex-change operation.

Real-life kickboxing champ Asanee Suwan delivers a sleak, charismatic presence in the lead role, combining fighting chops and an anguished sense of dilemma - knowing he'll be banned from fighting if he ever becomes a woman. As with other recent Thai films (ONG-BAK), the exotic backdrop adds a natural visual opulence, even as the film challenges the macho codes of Thai society and sporting culture.