shogen

GENSAN PUNCH: Brilliante Mendoza’s Award-Winning Boxing Drama Lands On HBO Max From April 14

Warnermedia has officially announced its April line-up of titles both entering and exiting HBO Max. For the former, of course, we have the April 14 premiere of biopictoral boxing drama, Gensan Punch, a Max Original Premiere from director Brilliante Mendoza, and featuring actor Shogen (Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist; High & Low: Final Mission) who is currently filming Anshul Chauhan’s court room drama, December, which wraps this Spring. Directed from a script by Honeylyn Joy Alipio, Gensan Punch is based on the biographical true story of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, an amputee with a prosthetic leg, who battles the odds to pursue his dream of professional boxing in the Gensan Quarter of General Santos City, Philippines. The film had its world premiere for the 26th Busan International Film Festival’s A Window On Asian Cinema program, winning the festival’s Kim Jiseok Award. The English/Japanese/Tagalog film was shot in both the Philippines and Japan, with scenes […]

GENSAN PUNCH Trailer: Shogen Goes Pound For Pound Against The Odds In Brilliante Mendoza’s New HBO Asia Original Boxing Pic

Lee B. Golden III

In the coming months following its Busan premiere, Brilliante Mendoza’s new boxing drama, Gensan Punch. The English/Japanese/Tagalog film was shot in both the Philippines and Japan, and stars Shogen (Death Note; Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist), Ronnie Lazaro (Affliction; Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story), Kaho Minami (Dream Street; Hotaru), Beauty Gonzales (The Heiress; Angelito: Batang Ama) and Vince Rillon (3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!; Ang Probinsyano). Inspired by the true story of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, GENSAN PUNCH is about a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who goes to the Philippines to train and pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. The so-called Gensan Quarter of General Santos City has long been known for producing athletes including presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao. The film tackles the issue of discrimination towards the disabled, especially in competitive sport. The film is presented as an HBO Asia Original and will launch in the coming months for […]

GENSAN PUNCH Gloves Up With The Latest Key Art For Brilliante Mendoza’s Upcoming Action Sports Biopic

Lee B. Golden III

If you’re like me, it was only about five or six years ago that actor Shogen made a blip on your radar for the remarkable production of Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist, and he’s even popped up a few times in the HiGH & LOW franchise if you’ve been paying attention. Undoubtedly, his filmography extends even further, and he’ll be adding another come the new year with Gensan Punch. SC Films acclaimed international sales rights over the summer with acclaimed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza (Thy Womb, Ma’ Rosa, Alpha: The Right to Kill) directing from a script by Honee Alipio. From award-winning Cannes / Venice / Toronto selected director Brillante Mendoza, GENSAN PUNCH is based on a true story and follows Nao Tsuyama, a disabled athlete who refuses to let his articifical leg hinder his dream to become a professional boxer. His remarkable journey takes him from Japan to the Philippines, and […]