The Transformative Learning Centre of OISE-UT presents

the 2008-2009 University of Toronto

The TMA Film Series is a more-or-less monthly screening of unique martial arts movies that go deeper and wider than standard chop-socky action flicks. A followup to the acclaimed TMA workshop series of summer 2008, the film series is intended to provide a stimulating and entertaining environment to ponder and discuss transformative potentials for the martial arts. Whether you are practicing a particular system, contemplating taking up a practice, simply interested in the issues raised by (and within) the martial arts, or just looking for an interesting time, you are invited to come along. All films are will be shown on Friday afternoons, 3-5pm, providing a great way to de-stress after the workweek and jump-start a re-creative weekend. Films for the fall season have been booked, but we are open to suggestions for films in the new year. Dean’s Board Room, 12th Floor, OISE-UT, 252 Bloor St. W. (directly above the St. George subway station) FREE admission Friday January 30, 2009 Transformative Martial Arts and Body Politics: A Queer Perspective, featuring... He fights like a man, so he can become a woman Believing he's a girl trapped in a boy's body since childhood, Parinya Charoenphol (affectionately known as Nong Toom in Thailand) sets out to master the most masculine and lethal sport of Muay Thai (Thai boxing) to earn a living and to achieve his ultimate goal of total femininity. Touching, funny and packed with breathtaking Thai kickboxing sequences, Beautiful Boxer traces Nong Toom's childhood, teenage life as a traveling monk and grueling days in boxing camps. Shot in 9 provinces across Thailand and in Tokyo, the film also features a series of explosive matches where Nong Toom knocks out most of his opponents in Thailand and Japan. Directed and produced by Ekachai Uekrongtham, the film stars Asanee Suwan, a real-life kickboxing champ as Nong Toom. The role earned him the 2004 Supannahongsa Award (Thailand's equivalent to the Oscar) for Best Actor. Beautiful Boxer also features compelling performances by Thailand's award-winning actor Sorapong Chatree in the role of Nong Toom's coach and former Miss Thailand Orn-Anong Panyawong as Nong Toom's mother. Kyoko Inoue, one of Japan's top female wrestlers plays herself in the film. She has fought with Nong Toom in real life back in 1988. That historical match was reenacted for the film in a dramatic sequence shot at Toyko Dome. Nearly all of Nong Toom's opponents in the film are also professional kickboxers in real life. This movie session will be of interest to queer martial artists and anyone interested in martial arts as embodied politics. Note: Discussion following the film will be somewhat abbreviated due to the feature's length (almost two hours), but we still aim for some discussion of important issues raised by the film. See the Trailer for this Film Host and Facilitator Jamie Magnusson Jamie has earned a 3rd degree black belt in Goju Ryu karate and also studies aikido. She encourages practitioners from gay-positive clubs to bring literature and flyers to share with others searching for supportive clubs and training spaces.