Lumpinee

They may be very young, but Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) is in their blood, explains a pupil at the boxing-cum-shelter run by Uncle Sak. Are they sometimes scared? Yes, sometimes, but when you have to fight there is no time for fear. And anyway, what would have become of them in rural Thailand without Muay Thai? At best, they would have ended up helping to tap rubber trees. Now - with a bit of luck - they can send money home and dream their dreams of competing at the championship in Bangkok's huge Lumpinee Stadium. Dynamic, handheld cinematography gives an impression of these small boxers' lives, the fierce matches and the blows they have to take. Most of them see Uncle Sak as their second father. They don't mind that the rules are strict, although one of them does describe the boxing camp as a prison. Another of the young boxers would prefer to play football, but his parents delivered him to the camp. There is great consternation when Uncle Sak's favorite boxer runs away; the father of the runaway now regrets that he was always so tough on his boy. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)