Beautifully acted by a young cast, this first feature from Welby Ings is a delicately balanced combination of compelling boxing movie and touching teenage drama
A promising teenage boxer in a claustrophobic small town discovers his sexuality when he falls in love with the only openly gay kid in high school. It sounds like the biggest film cliche ever, but New Zealand film-maker Welby Ings does something subtle and tender with this in his sensitive feature debut. It’s a delicate film with a pair of lovely, natural-feeling performances from its two leads.
Jordan Oosterhof is Jim, a boxer growing up in a seaside town in New Zealand where homophobia is alive and kicking: “faggot” is a routine term of abuse. Jim is gearing up for his first ever professional fight, trained by his English dad, alcoholic ex-boxer Stan. Jim hangs about with the sports bros, but he’s also a budding photographer.
A promising teenage boxer in a claustrophobic small town discovers his sexuality when he falls in love with the only openly gay kid in high school. It sounds like the biggest film cliche ever, but New Zealand film-maker Welby Ings does something subtle and tender with this in his sensitive feature debut. It’s a delicate film with a pair of lovely, natural-feeling performances from its two leads.
Jordan Oosterhof is Jim, a boxer growing up in a seaside town in New Zealand where homophobia is alive and kicking: “faggot” is a routine term of abuse. Jim is gearing up for his first ever professional fight, trained by his English dad, alcoholic ex-boxer Stan. Jim hangs about with the sports bros, but he’s also a budding photographer.
- 11/8/2023
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
"How does it happen? That we become something that we're not?" Peccadillo Pictures has debuted a second official trailer for the indie film Punch from New Zealand, a boxing drama made by filmmaker Welby Ings. This premiered at a few festivals last year, and already opened on VOD in March earlier in the year – this is an extra UK trailer for its release this fall. Jordan Oosterhof stars as Jim, a young boxer preparing for his first professional fight. He begins to rethink his life and his sexuality after tangling with Whetu, a gay Maori boy who spends his days in an old shack down by the beach that he built entirely himself. The two are forced to navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he realizes how little strength is connected to heroism. The film also stars Tim Roth,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Punch is a coming-of-age drama directed by New Zealander Welby Ings and stars Tim Roth, newcomer Jordan Oosterhaf, and former professional surfer Conan Hayes.
Jim is a young but focused professional fighter and at just seventeen years old, wants nothing more than to make his demanding father proud. With his life on track for success, Jim meets Whetu, a gay Maori boy who spends his time in an old shack by the beach. Despite his dedication and self confidence, after meeting Whetu, Jim must confront the truth about his own sexuality and his choices.
The Star: Tim Roth Tim Roth. Depostiphotos
Tim Roth is an English actor, director and producer who has had a long and successful career in Hollywood. He first rose to prominence with his performance as Tim ‘Fool’ Condon in the 1985 film The Hit. Since then Tim has gone on to appear in numerous leading roles in films such as Reservoir Dogs,...
Jim is a young but focused professional fighter and at just seventeen years old, wants nothing more than to make his demanding father proud. With his life on track for success, Jim meets Whetu, a gay Maori boy who spends his time in an old shack by the beach. Despite his dedication and self confidence, after meeting Whetu, Jim must confront the truth about his own sexuality and his choices.
The Star: Tim Roth Tim Roth. Depostiphotos
Tim Roth is an English actor, director and producer who has had a long and successful career in Hollywood. He first rose to prominence with his performance as Tim ‘Fool’ Condon in the 1985 film The Hit. Since then Tim has gone on to appear in numerous leading roles in films such as Reservoir Dogs,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Em Schaum
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Darkstar Pictures has released a trailer for the Lgtbq sports drama ‘Punch’ featuring Tim Roth.
Jim is a promising teenage boxer, training under the watch of his demanding and alcoholic father. When Jim develops a relationship with a male classmate, the two are forced to navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he realizes how little strength has to do with heroism.
Written and Directed By Welby Ings, the film stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof, Conan Hayes.
Also in trailers – Kevin Hart stars in trailer for Die Hart
The film hits U.S. cinemas On Digital and On Demand – on March 10, 2023, and On DVD– April 11, 2023
The post Tim Roth stars in trailer for sports drama ‘Punch’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Jim is a promising teenage boxer, training under the watch of his demanding and alcoholic father. When Jim develops a relationship with a male classmate, the two are forced to navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he realizes how little strength has to do with heroism.
Written and Directed By Welby Ings, the film stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof, Conan Hayes.
Also in trailers – Kevin Hart stars in trailer for Die Hart
The film hits U.S. cinemas On Digital and On Demand – on March 10, 2023, and On DVD– April 11, 2023
The post Tim Roth stars in trailer for sports drama ‘Punch’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 2/9/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"I keep the world at a distance." Dark Star Pictures has unveiled the US trailer for a New Zealand indie sports film titled Punch, a boxing drama from filmmaker Welby Ings. This premiered at a few festivals last year, and is arriving in the US on VOD and in theaters in March. Jordan Oosterhof stars as Jim, a young boxer preparing for his first professional fight. He begins to rethink his life and his sexuality after tangling with Whetu, a gay Maori boy who spends his days in an old shack down by the beach. The two are forced to navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he realizes how little strength is connected to heroism. The cast includes Tim Roth, Conan Hayes, Abigail Laurent, and Sage Klein. The film seems solid, an emotionally potent story about a young boxer.
- 2/8/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Project is director Welby Ings’ debut feature.
The Yellow Affair has struck a deal for North American rights with Dark Star Pictures to Welby Ings’ debut feature Punch.
Other deals recently closed for the New Zealand drama include to UK & Ireland (Peccadillo), Germany and Austria (Salzgeber) and France (Outplay) with further territories in negotiation.
Punch, which stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof and Conan Hayes, recently had its international premiere in the First Feature Competition at Tallinn Black Nights.
After a North American premiere at Palm Springs International Film Festival, Dark Star is planning a theatrical release in early 2023.
Robin Murphy...
The Yellow Affair has struck a deal for North American rights with Dark Star Pictures to Welby Ings’ debut feature Punch.
Other deals recently closed for the New Zealand drama include to UK & Ireland (Peccadillo), Germany and Austria (Salzgeber) and France (Outplay) with further territories in negotiation.
Punch, which stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof and Conan Hayes, recently had its international premiere in the First Feature Competition at Tallinn Black Nights.
After a North American premiere at Palm Springs International Film Festival, Dark Star is planning a theatrical release in early 2023.
Robin Murphy...
- 12/7/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Project is director Welby Ings’ debut feature.
The Yellow Affair has struck a deal for North American rights with Dark Star Pictures to Welby Ings’ debut feature Punch.
Other deals recently closed for the New Zealand drama include to UK & Ireland (Peccadillo), Germany and Austria (Salzgeber) and France (Outplay) with further territories in negotiation.
Punch, which stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof and Conan Hayes, recently had its international premiere in the First Feature Competition at Tallinn Black Nights.
After a North American premiere at Palm Springs International Film Festival, Dark Star is planning a theatrical release in early 2023.
Robin Murphy...
The Yellow Affair has struck a deal for North American rights with Dark Star Pictures to Welby Ings’ debut feature Punch.
Other deals recently closed for the New Zealand drama include to UK & Ireland (Peccadillo), Germany and Austria (Salzgeber) and France (Outplay) with further territories in negotiation.
Punch, which stars Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof and Conan Hayes, recently had its international premiere in the First Feature Competition at Tallinn Black Nights.
After a North American premiere at Palm Springs International Film Festival, Dark Star is planning a theatrical release in early 2023.
Robin Murphy...
- 12/7/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
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