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
Films revolving around the freedom of asserting one’s identity, dealing with the right to a way of life, are quite revealing of the times we live in, making them an important watch. Punch, the new film by writer director Welby Ings, deals with the issue of identity, placing us in Pirau, a small seaside town in New Zealand. Viewing the town’s worldview through a sharp socio-political lens, the film begins exploring the lives of two classmates, Jim and Whetu, and the price they must pay for asserting their true identity.
Jim is an up and coming boxer, being trained by his concerned but overbearing father. Whetu, a Maori boy, lives in a hut away from the suburban settlement. Jim is nicely fitted in his social group, while Whetu is an outcast. Both their lives start undergoing dramatic changes once they start getting close to one another.
Spoilers Ahead...
Jim is an up and coming boxer, being trained by his concerned but overbearing father. Whetu, a Maori boy, lives in a hut away from the suburban settlement. Jim is nicely fitted in his social group, while Whetu is an outcast. Both their lives start undergoing dramatic changes once they start getting close to one another.
Spoilers Ahead...
- 6/14/2023
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
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
Six world premieres, 16 European and international premieres and 70 UK premieres feature in the line-up
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 19th edition, taking place March 1-12, with the UK premiere of Nida Manzoor’s Sundance title Polite Society the closing night film.
The festival will screen 123 features, including six world premieres, 16 European and international premieres and 70 UK premieres.
Polite Society is the feature debut of Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 Nida Manzoor, who created Channel 4 and Peacock series We Are Lady Parts.
Her first feature is an action comedy about an aspiring stuntwoman who tries...
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 19th edition, taking place March 1-12, with the UK premiere of Nida Manzoor’s Sundance title Polite Society the closing night film.
The festival will screen 123 features, including six world premieres, 16 European and international premieres and 70 UK premieres.
Polite Society is the feature debut of Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 Nida Manzoor, who created Channel 4 and Peacock series We Are Lady Parts.
Her first feature is an action comedy about an aspiring stuntwoman who tries...
- 1/25/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- 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
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
Exclusive: Hulu has picked up exclusive U.S. streaming rights to the second season of New Zealand transgender drama Rūrangi, which recently won an International Emmy for best short-form series.
The second season is in post-production and estimated to be finalised for Q1-2023.
The first season, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, charted the story of transgender activist Caz Davis who returns to the remote, politically divided dairy community of Rūrangi, hoping to reconnect with his estranged father, who hasn’t heard from him since before Caz transitioned. In the second season, Rūrangi’s culture war intensifies between the transgender activists, farmers, and local Māori, while ancestors from the past reach out to the living with unfinished business.
Returning cast are Elz Carrad, Āwhina Rose Henare Ashby, Ramon Te Wake, Aroha Rawson, Renee Lyons, Renée Sheridan and new cast members include Cohen Holloway and Liam Coleman recasting...
The second season is in post-production and estimated to be finalised for Q1-2023.
The first season, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, charted the story of transgender activist Caz Davis who returns to the remote, politically divided dairy community of Rūrangi, hoping to reconnect with his estranged father, who hasn’t heard from him since before Caz transitioned. In the second season, Rūrangi’s culture war intensifies between the transgender activists, farmers, and local Māori, while ancestors from the past reach out to the living with unfinished business.
Returning cast are Elz Carrad, Āwhina Rose Henare Ashby, Ramon Te Wake, Aroha Rawson, Renee Lyons, Renée Sheridan and new cast members include Cohen Holloway and Liam Coleman recasting...
- 12/6/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Titles include Ivan Gergolet’s ‘The Man Without Guilt’ and Neil Maskell’s ’Klokkenluider’
Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 11-27) has unveiled its first feature line-up which includes 10 world and 10 international premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
Among the world premieres are Italian director Ivan Gergolet’s debut fiction feature The Man Without Guilt, a Slovenia-Italy-Croatia co-production that received €140,000 in Eurimages funding last year. Gergolet’s documentary feature Dancing With Maria screened at Venice’s Critics’ Week in 2014 and was nominated for a European Film Award.
Also premiering is Fisnik Maxville’s The Land Within, about the...
Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 11-27) has unveiled its first feature line-up which includes 10 world and 10 international premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
Among the world premieres are Italian director Ivan Gergolet’s debut fiction feature The Man Without Guilt, a Slovenia-Italy-Croatia co-production that received €140,000 in Eurimages funding last year. Gergolet’s documentary feature Dancing With Maria screened at Venice’s Critics’ Week in 2014 and was nominated for a European Film Award.
Also premiering is Fisnik Maxville’s The Land Within, about the...
- 10/13/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
“January,” Viesturs Kairiss’s autobiographical film set in the former Soviet Union, has been acquired for world sales by The Yellow Affair. The movie will have its world premiere at Tribeca in the international narrative competition.
The coming-of-age film sheds light on the political upheaval in the early 1990’s. It follows a Jazis, a 19 year-old aspiring cinematographer who, along with his friends, is trying to pursue his dreams of making movies and enjoy the freedom of young adulthood. His world is thrown into chaos as he is dragged into the people’s peaceful protests against the Soviet Army’s attempted takeover of power in his country.
Kairiss, who co-wrote “January” with Andris Feldmanis and Livia Ulman, said it was a highly personal film for him.
“I was 19 in January 1991, so I am very familiar with the protagonists and events of the film. At that age, I was fighting for my...
The coming-of-age film sheds light on the political upheaval in the early 1990’s. It follows a Jazis, a 19 year-old aspiring cinematographer who, along with his friends, is trying to pursue his dreams of making movies and enjoy the freedom of young adulthood. His world is thrown into chaos as he is dragged into the people’s peaceful protests against the Soviet Army’s attempted takeover of power in his country.
Kairiss, who co-wrote “January” with Andris Feldmanis and Livia Ulman, said it was a highly personal film for him.
“I was 19 in January 1991, so I am very familiar with the protagonists and events of the film. At that age, I was fighting for my...
- 6/1/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The documentary was produced by Berlinale award-winning Finnish firm Tuffi Films
The Yellow Affair has boarded world sales on feature documentary Just Animals, directed by Finland’s Saila Kivelä and Vesa Kuosmanen.
Elli Toivoniemi, Juha Löppönen and Venla Hellstedt produce for Finland’s prolific, female-centred production company Tuffi Films, whose credits also include Berlinale Crystal Bear winner Stupid Young Heart.
Just Animals will reveive its market premiere at the European Film Market (EFM), ahead of Aurora Studios releasing the film in Finnish cinemas on March 4.
The film follows an animal rights activist through the legal battles of her youth, and...
The Yellow Affair has boarded world sales on feature documentary Just Animals, directed by Finland’s Saila Kivelä and Vesa Kuosmanen.
Elli Toivoniemi, Juha Löppönen and Venla Hellstedt produce for Finland’s prolific, female-centred production company Tuffi Films, whose credits also include Berlinale Crystal Bear winner Stupid Young Heart.
Just Animals will reveive its market premiere at the European Film Market (EFM), ahead of Aurora Studios releasing the film in Finnish cinemas on March 4.
The film follows an animal rights activist through the legal battles of her youth, and...
- 2/9/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Mexico’s Michel Franco is back in Venice after his triumphant Silver Lion win last year for his dystopian thriller “New Order.” His new film “Sundown” is in competition at the Lido where it world premieres on Sunday. Variety spoke to the director and the film’s star Tim Roth.
While “New Order” used thousands of extras and was shot on a larger, more ambitious scale than any of Franco’s previous films, “Sundown” is a return to a more intimate, personal drama with Franco’s long-time collaborator and friend Roth leading the cast.
In it, Roth plays a wealthy man going through an existential crisis while vacationing in Acapulco with his family. Not much more can be said of the plot without revealing its twists.
This is the second time Roth stars in a Franco-directed film. Their relationship sparked nearly 10 years ago when Roth, as Cannes’ 2012 Un Certain Regard jury president,...
While “New Order” used thousands of extras and was shot on a larger, more ambitious scale than any of Franco’s previous films, “Sundown” is a return to a more intimate, personal drama with Franco’s long-time collaborator and friend Roth leading the cast.
In it, Roth plays a wealthy man going through an existential crisis while vacationing in Acapulco with his family. Not much more can be said of the plot without revealing its twists.
This is the second time Roth stars in a Franco-directed film. Their relationship sparked nearly 10 years ago when Roth, as Cannes’ 2012 Un Certain Regard jury president,...
- 9/4/2021
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Yellow Affair is launching world sales on drama In Every Dream Home for the Cannes Marché du Film.
The UK/U.S. co-production is set to star Dominique Jackson (Pose), Gaite Jansen (Peaky Blinders), David Arquette (Scream) and Louisa Krause (Billions).
UK filmmaker Louis Melville will direct the feature which will tell the story of a once famous trans woman called Bastet who now lives out her life in a small New York State coastal town which is closed up for winter. Bastet’s life takes a turn she hadn’t envisaged when she opens her home to a young woman who pretends to be something she is not. The movie questions the reality and truth of both Bastet, the fading trans woman star of Andy Warhol’s Factory, and Aggie, the young woman who comes to stay.
Pic is written by Melville and will be his third...
The UK/U.S. co-production is set to star Dominique Jackson (Pose), Gaite Jansen (Peaky Blinders), David Arquette (Scream) and Louisa Krause (Billions).
UK filmmaker Louis Melville will direct the feature which will tell the story of a once famous trans woman called Bastet who now lives out her life in a small New York State coastal town which is closed up for winter. Bastet’s life takes a turn she hadn’t envisaged when she opens her home to a young woman who pretends to be something she is not. The movie questions the reality and truth of both Bastet, the fading trans woman star of Andy Warhol’s Factory, and Aggie, the young woman who comes to stay.
Pic is written by Melville and will be his third...
- 7/7/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar-nominee Tim Roth (Rob Roy) is attached to star in New Zealand drama Punch, which European sales firm The Yellow Affair is introducing to world buyers during the Toronto virtual market.
Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight actor Roth, who is currently starring in Sky and Amazon series Tin Star, will play Stan, the demanding coach and notorious alcoholic father of Jim, a seventeen year-old boxer in a small town. Golden boy Jim is preparing for his first professional fight but begins to rethink his life’s trajectory and his sexuality after tangling with Whetu, a razor-tongued, gay Maori boy who spends his days in an old shack down by the beach.
The roles of Jim and Whetu are being cast at the moment ahead of a scheduled November 9 start date.
The film marks the feature debut of writer-director Welby Ings whose previous shorts have played at dozens of festivals.
Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight actor Roth, who is currently starring in Sky and Amazon series Tin Star, will play Stan, the demanding coach and notorious alcoholic father of Jim, a seventeen year-old boxer in a small town. Golden boy Jim is preparing for his first professional fight but begins to rethink his life’s trajectory and his sexuality after tangling with Whetu, a razor-tongued, gay Maori boy who spends his days in an old shack down by the beach.
The roles of Jim and Whetu are being cast at the moment ahead of a scheduled November 9 start date.
The film marks the feature debut of writer-director Welby Ings whose previous shorts have played at dozens of festivals.
- 9/15/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s your daily dose of an indie film, web series, TV pilot, what-have-you in progress — at the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.
In the meantime: Is this a project you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
Sparrow
Logline: “Sparrow” is the beautiful story of a small boy who is teased because he thinks he can fly. When a family myth about his war veteran grandfather is exploded, he discovers strength to stand up to the school bullies in a very unusual way.
Elevator Pitch:
“Sparrow” is a distinctive New Zealand story located in the beautiful, slightly surreal world of blasted quarries, gravel roads, abandoned psychiatric hospitals and wooden schools. Here, hypnotic and graceful camera movement seduces us into the almost magical realism of the narrative.
Welby Ings is an award-winning artist, educator and filmmaker whose unique visual...
In the meantime: Is this a project you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
Sparrow
Logline: “Sparrow” is the beautiful story of a small boy who is teased because he thinks he can fly. When a family myth about his war veteran grandfather is exploded, he discovers strength to stand up to the school bullies in a very unusual way.
Elevator Pitch:
“Sparrow” is a distinctive New Zealand story located in the beautiful, slightly surreal world of blasted quarries, gravel roads, abandoned psychiatric hospitals and wooden schools. Here, hypnotic and graceful camera movement seduces us into the almost magical realism of the narrative.
Welby Ings is an award-winning artist, educator and filmmaker whose unique visual...
- 7/19/2016
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
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