Denise Petite Anne A.

Siojo 2012 2010-65129 Reaction Paper Title: Beautiful Boxer (2004) Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham

May 11, Anthropology 10

Beautiful Boxer is based on a true story about a transgender, Nong Toom. Since Nong Toom was born a boy referring to his biological and physiological characteristics. But when he was still a child, he exhibit more fascination with women than with men. He was interested in Thai traditinal dancing and even played with girls. He was even regarded by his siblings as a weakling. He was always bullied for he does not fight back. It disappointed his mother. Until one day, he was introduced with kickboxing, and knowing the great prizes he can get from it, he pursued with it. So he then decided to wear a lipstick to one of his fight. People were unaccepting by this but later realizes that Nong Toom can still fight like a real man. The reactions of his opponent made him puch harder. It gave him a boost. Though he seems to be a tough fighter, he still knows deep inside him that he is a woman, his true desire is to become a woman. So as days goes by, Nong Toom realizes the conflict of being a woman trapped in a man's body, admitting to a reporter before a boxing match that he is saving much of the prize money for a sex-change operation. The movie tells us so much issues the bodies. As to gender, the movie also have shown some issues about this. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. From the start of the movie, Nong Toom's father showed disapprovement on his face while Nong Toom was dancing the traditional dance. One thing also is when he does not fights back to his bullies, where his mother even reprimanded him for that. Fighting back is a sign of masculinity. And of course when he wears make up. He even have to hide himself if he tries on make up because as he was told by his friend when they were still monks, make up are for women. What I'm trying to say is that the world dictates our actions based on what is acceptable and what they think is right not knowing that some people are not happy with this. We can really see Nong Toom's desire to become a woman in the movie. The movie also gives us a glimpse of the struggles of other people who are "trapped" in a body where they do not want. Nong Toom isn't the

only one in the world who is having this kind of dilemma. The movie tells us that gender does not determine who you truly are deep inside.