Gensan Punch, a Filipino-Japanese film, won a prestigious Kim Jiseok Award at the 26th Busan International Film Festival and is now recognized as a brand-new show in HBO Asia Original Film.
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In an Instagram post, Director Brillante Medoza, who wasn’t able to physically attend the event, posted an image of the Gensan Punch on his social media account with a caption, “Thank you Busan Int’l Film Festival for the Kim Jiseok Award.”
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Mendoza, one of the most prominent Philippine directors and producers, was the first Filipino to receive the Best Director award at Cannes for his film Kinatay in 2009. Also known for his award-winning films Mindanao, Thy Womb, Ma’ Rosa, and Service.
Gensan Punch was inspired by the life of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who goes to the Philippines to train and pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. It tackles issues on discrimination towards persons with disabilities, especially in competitive sport.
Starring Filipino, Japanese and Canadian artists with the names of Beauty Gonzales (Melissa), Ronnie Lazaro (Coach Rudy), Kaho Minami (Nao’s mother), and Jeffrey Rowe (Nao’s Father),
Meanwhile, Shogen also uploaded a picture of him holding the Kim Jiseok Award on his Instagram account.
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“The day our efforts were rewarded. It is such an honor to win the Kim Jiseok Award at Busan Film Fest. Congratulations Team #GensanPunch!!,” he stated.
Shogen played Nao, the lead character in Gensan Punch, known for his Japanese films Death Note, The Shadow Inside, Samurai of the Dead and Indigo Love.
According to HBO Asia, Gensan Punch is the newest HBO Asia Original film that will premiere exclusively on HBO GO and HBO this coming December.
Watch the ‘Gensan Punch’ trailer here:
Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14780138/, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1137289/?ref_=ttawd_awd_1, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2570241/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t5
