GENSAN PUNCH which is an HBO Asia Original film has been awarded the Kim jiseok Award at 26th Busan International Film Festival which was directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza. The film will also premiere in HBO GO and HBO this December 2021.
Seven other films were in contestion for the award with GENSAN PUNCH bagging one of the 2 slots for the winners this year. Other countries that had entries were the following: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, and Singapore.
About GENSAN PUNCH’s win, the jury commented, “Incredibly strong story narrated in a documentary style. It is not just a story of a hero’s path to victory, but a story of building human relationships. Okinawa and Gensokyo are two seemingly different worlds, but they are connected by the warmth of people and their beliefs.”
Inspired by the true story of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, GENSAN PUNCH is about a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who goes to the Philippines to train and pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. The so-called Gensan Quarter of General Santos City has long been known for producing athletes including presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao. The film tackles the issue of discrimination towards the disabled, especially in competitive sport.
GENSAN PUNCH screenedat Busan International Film Festival’s “A Window on Asian Cinema” section (Competition) and will also screen in the “Gala Selection” (non-Competition) at the upcoming 34th Tokyo International Film Festival.
In English, Japanese and Tagalog, GENSAN PUNCH was filmed in both the Philippines and Japan, and stars Shogen (Death Note; Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist), Ronnie Lazaro (Affliction; Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story), Kaho Minami (Dream Street; Hotaru), Beauty Gonzales (The Heiress; Angelito: Batang Ama) and Vince Rillon (3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!; Ang Probinsyano).
Created and written by Honee Alipio, produced by Takahiro Yamashita and Krisma Maclang Fajardo and executive produced by Brillante Mendoza, Simon Crowe and Fumie Suzuki Lancaster.
HBO Asia Originals have had a winning streak at international film festivals recently. One of the lead actors, John Arcilla, from its other Filipino production, On the Job, won the Coppa Volti at the Venice Film Festival on September 11
