China Heavyweight

May 11 2012 Not Rated 1h 34m
Documentary, Sport

In southwestern China, state athletic coaches scour the countryside to recruit poor, rural teenagers who demonstrate a natural ability to throw a good punch. Moved into boxing training centers, these boys and girls undergo a rigorous regimen that grooms them to be China’s next Olympic heroes but also prepares them for life outside the ring. As these young boxers develop, the allure of turning professional for personal gain and glory competes with the main philosophy behind their training – to represent their country. Interconnected with their story is that of their charismatic coach, Qi Moxiang, who – now in his late thirties and determined to win back lost honor – trains for a significant fight.

Plot

In central China, a Master coach recruits poor rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions. Through hard work and discipline, these boys and girls come of age, trained in the art of boxing and the game of life. They are filled with Olympic dreams, hoping to become China's next amateur heroes. But the pull of professionalism also weighs upon their shoulders. Their coach hopes to show them the way. The top student boxers face dramatic choices as they graduate - should they fight for the collective good as amateurs or for themselves and their own personal gain as professionals? It's a metaphor for the choices that everyone faces now, in the New China.

Written by

Yung Chang

Directed by

Yung Chang

Cast

Moxiang Qi, Yunfei Miao, Zongli He

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United Kingdom, China, Finland, Canada, Japan

Production Companies

EyeSteelFilm, CNEX Foundation, Yuan Fang Media

Languages

Awards

3 wins & 3 nominations

Trailers
China Heavyweight Official Trailer #1 (2012) - Documentary Movie HD
Scores
# of Votes
369
Average Rating
6.4 out of 10
Metascore
77
Popularity
NA