Tim Roth To Star In NZ Drama PUNCH repped by The Yellow Affair
The Yellow Affair will introduce PUNCH to buyers during the Toronto International Film Festival with Principal Photography set to commence 9th November 2020.
Welby Ings’ debut feature Punch tells the story of Jim - a seventeen-year-old boxer in a small town. He is a golden boy, preparing for a fight that will elevate him to an early professional status. All bets are on his climb to success. But his father Stan is a demanding coach and a notorious alcoholic. In the town Stan is treated like a joke but he has given everything to see his son gain professional status and escape the brutality of his small world. As Jim begins to rethink why he is fighting his life tangles with Whetu, a razor-tongued, gay Maori boy who spends his days in an old shack down by the beach. With his dog Moimoi he cobbles together a fragile glamour and dreams of leaving town to become a musician. As Jim stumbles towards discovering what it really is to be a gay man, he is forced to see that strength has little to do with heroism.
PUNCH is written and directed by Welby Ings who’s previous three short films Boy, Munted and Sparrow have played in over 80 international film festivals. Punch is produced by Robin Murphy for Robin Murphy Productions with executive producer Catherine Fitzgerald of Blueskin Films. The film received support from the NZ Film Commission, NZ Screen Production Grant, Prospect Films and Images and Sound. Vendetta Films will distribute in NZ and Australia with The Yellow Affair representing world sales. The film’s intended release is Q4 2021.
Tim Roth (The Hateful Eight, Tin Star, Rob Roy) is attached to play Stan with the roles of Jim and Whetu to be confirmed shortly. Roth is repped by CAA, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin, and Jackoway Tyerman.
Robin Murphy Producer: Working with Welby to bring to life the story of Jim has been an absolute pleasure, and I have no doubt he'll bring the same artistry and passion for the stories of his community he expressed in his short films to PUNCH, where he not only takes us on the unique journey of one young man, but speaks to the universal experience of discovering your own true self.
Welby Ings writer/director: After developing a story that is close to my heart for what seems like an age, we are all thrilled to be heading into production, and I am so excited to collaborate with the extraordinarily talented Tim Roth”