Tim Roth and Jordan Oosterhof star in the upcoming queer filmPunch, which looks like it’s going to TKO our hearts.
According to the official synopsis, “Jim (Oosterhof) is a promising teenage boxer, training under the watch of his demanding and alcoholic father (Roth). When Jim develops a relationship with a male classmate (Conan Hayes), the two are forced to navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he realizes how little strength has to do with heroism.”
Punch marks director Welby Ings’s feature debut after having directed several films. The film made its world premiere at the 2022 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and went on to be an official selection at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Festival. At both festivals, it received very positive reviews, with critics heaping praise on Roth’s performance in particular.
Courtesy of Dark Star Pictures
Living in a small town in New Zealand, Jim faces various challenges in coming to terms with his identity: the expectations of a boxer, the expectations of his father, and the expectations of his community. The film serves as a coming-of-age tale and a sports story, as well as a mirror pointed at what it can mean for young queer people in small towns when small minds prevail. While it no doubt will tug at the heartstrings, the film looks to be one you won’t want to miss.
