China Heavyweight

Late in China Heavyweight, a documentary shot over a couple of years in rural Sichuan province, a big crowd gathers in a town square to hear ceremonial talk about the 90th anniversary of Chinese communism. One of the speakers says that socialism remains the best hope for the future of the country. But that's certainly not what's on the minds of the young Chinese boxers who are followed here by Sino-Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang. Pursuing a self-determined path toward dreams of athletic glory, the teen pugilists profiled (in remarkably revealing and touching ways) literally walk away from traditional, hardscrabble family obligations in order to pursue their own goals. Moreover, they eschew taking an official route to success, rejecting government-led pressure to bring honor as fighters to their hometowns, Sichuan province, and ultimately China itself. Much of the film focuses on the restless Miao Yunfei, a 19-year-old who idolizes Mike Tyson and embraces the individualistic spirit of a brutal Western sport. But the most compelling figure here is boxing coach Qi Moxiang (whose speed and strength in the ring is seen in archival footage), a man committed to training Miao and others. Qi looks haunted when he dares ponder a comeback and the wisdom of doing something for himself. Yung has a remarkably fluid style, delivering an unexpectedly tender film about the price of coming into one's own. DVD extras include deleted scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)