A brand-new HBO Asia Original film GENSAN PUNCH will have its world premiere in “A Window on Asian Cinema” section (Competition) at the upcoming 26th edition of Busan International Film Festival, before premiering exclusively on HBO GO and HBO in the next few months.

The Filipino-Japanese title in English, Japanese and Tagalog, is also one of seven Asian films nominated for the Kim Jiseok Award in Busan. In addition, the film will screen in the “Gala Selection” (non-Competition) at this year’s 34th Tokyo International Film Festival.

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 Manny Pacquiao.

The film tackles the issue of discrimination towards the disabled, especially in competitive sport.

Filmed in both the Philippines and Japan, GENSAN PUNCH is produced and directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza (Mindanao; Alpha: The Right To Kill;) 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).

Created and written by Honee Alipio, GENSAN PUNCH is produced by Takahiro Yamashita and Krisma Maclang Fajardo and executive produced by Brillante Mendoza, Simon Crowe, and Fumie Suzuki Lancaster.

The announcement comes shortly after the debut of On the Job, another HBO Asia Original from the Philippines. Now streaming on HBO GO, the series stars John Arcilla who won the Coppa Volti at the Venice Film Festival on September 11.

Stream or download GENSAN PUNCH when it premieres on HBO GO in the next few months.