The Iron Ladies

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Tai Entertainment Co. Ltd.
PRODUCER:Visute Poolvoralaks
SCREENPLAY: Visuthichai Bunyakarnjana, Jira Malikul, Yongyooth Thongkonthun
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jira Malikul
EDITOR: Sunit Asvinikul
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Narucha Vijitvarit
SOUND: Amornpong Methakunawut
MUSIC: Amornpong Methakunawut
PRINCIPAL CAST: Jesdaporn Pholdee, Sahaparp Virakamintr, Ekachai Buranapanich, Jojo Mioxshi, Chaichan Nimpoolsawasdi, Kokkorn Benjatikul, Sirthana Hongsophol, Pormasith Siticharoengkul

Every now and then a comedy comes along with a heart so big and a cast of characters so wonderfully bizarre that you cannot help but fall in love with it - while crying with laughter all the while. The Iron Ladies is absolutely one of those films. Based on a true story, it describes the inexorable march of a volleyball team composed mostly of transsexuals, transvestites and some rather effeminate gay guys to the Thai male national championships in 1996.

At the heart of the team are Mon - a weary transvestite, unlucky in love, and a fantastic player - and his best friend Jun, a raucous drag queen with hilariously over-supportive parents. They get their chance to show their stuff when the provincial governor hires a suspiciously butch female head coach to put together a "dream team" for the national competitions. She announces that there will be open tryouts, and when Mon and Jun get selected, their macho teammates resign en masse - all except Chai, whose self-respect is obstinately tied to his success on the court. When the coach asks Mon to find some friends to join the squad, she knows just who to pick: Nong, a muscle-laden army sergeant and makeup artist; Pia, a transsexual stage star; Wit, a closeted Chinese-Thai boy; and, perhaps most memorably, April, May and June, Jun's transvestite triplet friends!

Plenty of conflict ensues, with the straight captain Chai learning tolerance, and the more selfish of the "girls" learning team spirit. Other darker problems are hinted at - with occasional outbreaks of homophobic violence against outspoken Jun and the shame that some parents feel about their gay children - but the team gradually melds into an impressive unit, emerging triumphant in match after match. They even find a way to shame the conservative game authorities who try and disqualify them!

Ultimately a spirited and gleeful plea for tolerance, The Iron Ladies is a delight on every level - and all the more special for having actually happened.

Noah Cowan, Toronto International Film Festival