MFDB

Storyline

Chinatown in Paris... This is where a promising Thai boxer named Manu lives.When his Spanish immigrant parents died, his older brother Raphaël was obliged to give up boxing in order to take on their father’s garage.However, there is nothing to stop Manu from embarking on a successful boxing career. Chinh, a young Chinese woman who has been living in Paris for several years, is engaged to Tony, the son of rich Chinese parents. One day, Chinh’s elder brother, Noï, whom she has not seen for a very long time, decides to move to Paris. Chinh and Raphaël fall head over heels in love, which drives the jealous Tony to distraction. At an illegal boxing match,Manu’s opponent in the ring is none other than Chinh’s brother, Noï. The two boxers do not know each other. They start to fight – and Noï ends up killing Manu. From this moment on – just as in “Romeo and Juliet” – the love between Chinh and Raphael becomes impossible. Raphaël is beside himself with rage – and hell-bent on revenge. But, unlike the Shakespearean tale, love triumphs this time round... Karim Dridi, who, in his short films, displayed a talent for translating his enthusiasm for boxing into exciting visuals, has created a compelling multicultural drama in which, as in his earlier films, he demonstrates his sensitivity for the plight of young people in immigrant families.

Festivals & Academy awards and others

Berlin International Film Festival 2003
Panorama