“Gensan Punch,” the first sports biopic of multi-awarded filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza, was among the titles presented by SC Films International at the virtual Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) of the Cannes International Film Festival in France.

The London-based SC Films presented initial footage from “Gensan Punch” during its promo screening of several live action and animation titles. SC Films bought the international rights of the English-language boxing biopic recently, as reported by Screen Daily.

“Gensan Punch” is about the true story of Naozumi “Nao” Tsuchiyama, a disabled Japanese boxer with an artificial leg who defied the odds to become a professional athlete. According to Liz Shackleton of Screen Daily, the target release of “Gensan Punch” is by the end of this year.

With scenes shot in Fukuoka, Okinawa, and the Philippines, the film follows Tsuchiyama’s journey from Japan to General Santos (Gensan) City. He builds on his boxing career in Gensan, the famed training ground of bouters which include superstar boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao. 

Photo courtesy of SC Films International

Written by Honee Alipio, “Gensan Punch” is produced by Gentle Underground Monkeys of Japan and Mendoza’s Center Stage Productions. Tsuchiyama is portrayed by Japanese actor Shogen of the television mini-series “Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist” and “Death Note.” Joining him in the cast are Ronnie Lazaro, Beauty Gonzales, and Kaho Minami.

“This film is a tribute to boxers, those who fight in and out of the ring, and persevere in spite of the limitations set before them,” Mendoza was quoted by SC Films. Gentle Underground Monkeys added, “We hope this film will remind people to never give up, and that we should learn to forgive others – that life goes on.” 

Simon Crowe, co-founder of SC Films, praised Mendoza and his latest work in the Screen Daily article. “We’ve long admired Brillante’s work from afar so it’s great to be finally working with such a talented and acclaimed filmmaker. We’re confident audiences around the world will respond as we have to the first footage.”

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra extended her congratulations to the “Gensan Punch” team as their achievement in international distribution is a victory not just for the Filipino film industry but for the whole country as well.

“Ang galing-galing ng Pilipinas! Congratulations, Direk Brillante Mendoza. Thank you for presenting Filipino films to the world,” Diño-Seguerra remarked of Mendoza whose numerous accolades include recognitions from the Top 3 A-List film festivals in the world.

At the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival, he won the Caligari Film Award for “Tirador.” In Cannes, he was hailed as the Best Director for “Kinatay” in 2009 and was given the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention for “Taklub” in 2015. At the 2012 Venice International Film Festival, he bagged the La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award and Nazareno Taddei Award - Special Mention for “Thy Womb.” 

The cover photo is courtesy of SC Films International.