PUNCH

English original version with German subtitles

in coastal town in New Zealand. 17-year-old Jim is a great boxing talent, the next victory could turn him into a professional. Especially his father Stan, who trains him strictly but has a drinking problem himself, has high hopes for him. But Jim himself is not so sure where he actually wants to go - especially after his first encounter with Whetu. The openly gay young Māori lives with his dog in a hut on the beach and dreams of becoming a musician. Together with Whetu, there are suddenly things worth fighting for.

Alongside Hollywood star Tim Roth as father Stan, up-and-coming talents Jordan Oosterhof and Conan Hayes, who himself has Māori roots, shine as two young men who have to stand up to homophobia, which is still very much present in New Zealand. From a father-son story in a rough boxing milieu, director Welby Ings develops a tender love story in which Jim expands not only his sexual perspectives with the Takatāpui Whetu - this term is used to describe Māori queer people - but also his ideas of what a good life is.