Hot Docs

China Heavyweight

Screenings

Wed, May 2 9:00 PM Bloor Hot Docs Cinema	Not Available
Thu, May 3 2:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2	Not Available
Fri, May 4 9:30 PM Fox Theatre	Not Available

89 minutes | Canada China | Sichuanese | Canadian Premiere | Rating: PG

Award-winning director Yung Chang (Up the Yangtze) takes his camera back to China to follow Qi Moxiang, a charismatic state boxing coach, on a search for raw talent in the village schools and rural tobacco fields of Sichuan province. Those chosen leave the poverty of their farms for training in special schools in the hopes that they’ll turn out to be extraordinary, winning medals and honour for their country. In this observational film, Chang entwines Coach Qi’s desire to fight “one more time” with an intimate portrait of the students’ lives, the rigours of training and the camaraderie as they grow from teenagers to young adults. As a new century of change and fierce competition sweeps through China, the best must decide between communist ideals of the common good and Western individualism: Will they fight for the glory of their country or for fame and money, becoming boxing kings like Tyson or Pacquiao? Lynne Fernie

The Canadian premiere of CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT screens on Wednesday, May 2, as a part of Hot Docs Live! Visit www.cineplex.com to buy tickets for a screening near you.