VERA BELMONT PRESENTS
CHOK DEE: THE KICKBOXER
Hands up!
- Don't move! - Freeze!!!
Story by: Xavier Durringer, Christophe Mordellet, Dida
Adapted for film by: Vera Belmont, Francois Greze
Based on the book "Dida... from the projects to Hollywood" by Dida Diafat
Cinematographer: Guillaume Schiffman
Editor: Raphaelle Urtin
Sound: Jean-Luc Audy
Screenplay by: Lara Rastelli
Costume Designer: Edith Versperini
Production Designer: Eric Durringer, Arin Pinijvararak
- Hi. - We have to talk.
Assistant Directors: Francois Enginger, Charlie Sungkawess
Sound Editors: Alexandre Widmer, Vincent Guillon, Sebastien Jeannot
Sound Mixers: Francois Groult, Herve Buirette
Music by: Sig, Calbo & Yvan
"Menaure, Rodrigo, Hadjaj. Visiting room."
Executive Producers: Linda Gutenberg, Narimon Atibaed
Directed by: Xavier Durringer
- Pick them up! - Pick what up?
Pick what up?
Shut it and pick them up!
Stop! Stop!
Quit that right now!
Don't move!
- Quit it! - Screw you!
Come on, stop it!
I put you in with some great guys.
I'm sharing with Buddhists or what?
He's in my stuff!
Your kid's cute.
- How do you know she's mine? - It says.
Never touch my stuff again!
Hey, you smoke?
- No. - No joints in here.
And you're on my bed!
OK. I didn't want to piss you off.
It's clean in here.
So what?
So I don't want you messing it up.
Right.
Are you a boxer?
- What? - The photos from China.
Thailand.
- Bangkok, over 20 years ago. - No!
- You boxed there? - Yeah.
Did you win?
What do you care?
I don't know.
I'd just like to start a new life somewhere,
and fighting is all I know.
You don't even know that.
- Yeah? - Sure you don't.
He's fast with a good punch,
but he's a brawler, no technique.
You're nothing. No more salt?
- Yeah, you're nothing. - What's nothing?
Nothing's nothing. You're shit.
Oh yeah?
- Remember the wood shop? - Sure.
Pick it up! Please...
- What's your game? - Same as you.
Hey...
Bitch!
- What was that? - My elbow.
No technique...
Sainte-Rose! Fatida!
Lagennef! Rodriguez!
- Papa! - Rachid! How's school?
What's wrong with you? You promised me...
Listen...
I won't make you cry again.
This time, I'll find a job when I get out.
You say that each time! How will you find a job?
You keep bad company.
If only you could find something you liked.
That's not the problem. It's making money.
You can't clean crap forever.
You talk like a thug, not a man!
You have to change now!
If you don't get that,
then just stay in here.
I know a camp in Thailand. Lukbarnyai.
The best Thai-boxing camp anywhere.
Any 10-year-old kid there could beat you
- in less than a minute. - 10?
- Yeah. - No way.
It's true.
To the people there, you're nothing.
Yeah? What's this camp called again?
Lukbarnyai.
Like Real Madrid for soccer.
"First and second group, exercise period over."
- Tell me! - No, that's enough.
- Finish telling me! - I have finished.
Rule No. 1: Patience, Rayane.
Jean, how about working out with gloves sometime?
I have no gloves.
And I'm scared you'd hurt me.
Rule No.2: Work. You don't know what work is.
Come on, get 'em up.
Right-handed?
Gently now, gently...
That's it.
Straight after...
I must never see your knee coming!
Rent, rent, rent.
Read, read, read.
Quiet, quiet, quiet.
Prove, proved, proven.
"Maima...
I met a kind of instructor here.
He offered me work as a waiter in Thailand.
I want to go there so much.
When I get out, I'll earn some money to pay for the ticket. Love, Rayane."
That's it.
It doesn't hurt.
You finished?
Yeah, that's about it.
Go on. Me, I'm getting old.
Come on, come over here.
Two minutes.
I'll show you something.
We all have our secrets.
Like it?
You see this cape?
I had it made for Rajadamnoen.
It's never been used.
What's this Raja-thing?
It's a stadium, like Lumpini.
The Mecca of Muay-Thai.
Yeah? Why are you telling me this?
Because it does me good.
It does me good...
Here, Roger...
- Now it's up to you. - What does it say?
Chok Dee.
- Meaning? - You'll know soon enough.
Better not do anything stupid...
Hey, Rayane...
I didn't teach you anything, you know.
- What's that? Sure you did! - No.
Nothing.
Only that it's possible.
I'm not ready.
Sure you're ready.
You're ready to learn.
And that's good...
Very good...
The address is on the first page,
but she may have moved.
I'll find her, no sweat.
Give it to my daughter Kim herself, right?
- And no one else. - OK.
Anything more to tell me?
Sure.
It's written there.
I'll miss you, you jerk.
What's that?
I hope you've thought it over.
Over there, you'll be on your own.
What have you done?
No...
I don't deserve it...
I really don't.
- 24,000 baht. - How much?
24,000 baht.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
- Which hotel? - Lukbarnyai.
- Lukbarnyai, Bangkok? - Yes.
Patpong?
What?
Patpong... ladies... very good...
Beautiful...
- Very sexy, huh? - Sexy? Yeah.
Me boxing, Lukbarnyai...
OK. Lukbarnyai gym!
Taxi meter. Two hundred...
thirty-nine...
baht.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Thank you very much.
Hey, my friend!
Hey!
Coffee!
Hey, no foreigners!
No, I want to fight!
No stranger! Go!
- I want to fight! - Get out!
Hello!
- OK, this. - Noodles?
Yes.
- No, this... yes. - Meatballs.
No, no.
What are you doing here?
You don't understand?
We don't want you here. Go home!
I don't want to move, OK?
OK.
But you stay behind the line.
Hey. That's enough!
Get inside!
Good morning, master.
- Who's that? - He's been there for 3 days.
I think he wants to box.
- Is he American? - I think he's French.
It's raining outside. You have something like a...
hotel room?
Good morning.
May I use the bathroom?
Me no good...
- You want a shower? - Thank you.
Hey, you! My bag! HE Y!!
Coffee!
Tell him to go. He can't just keep
hanging around my place. Tell him.
You can't stay here anymore.
Why? I want to fight.
I want to fight.
I want boxing. I want to fight!
Tell him no foreigners.
Because they cause problems,
bringing girls here.
Tell him to go, but first,
let him eat with the youngsters.
No "Farang", no stranger in this camp!
Go to a strangers' camp!
You'll bring girls here. They don't like it.
You eat. After, you go, please.
No, no... You don't understand.
I'm not here for girls. I want to fight.
I want boxing! I can show you I can fight!
Please! Come on. I want to fight!
I want to train and I want to fight!
Please! I want to fight!
OK. You want to fight?
Show me. Kaokor!
I heard you have no money?
I have no money.
- But I can work hard. - Sure?
- Yes. - Are you ready to do anything?
Yes, sir.
OK.
Sir... Thank you.
- The sleeping place. - Good.
- What's your name? - Rayane. And you?
Coffee, like coffee.
- Oh, good, good. - No good!
Oh, sorry.
- Hey. What are you doing? - I go run.
No, no. You don't run! Pajo says you clean here!
Look...
- You turn everything like that, OK? - OK.
And here, like that.
Wash!
Finished!
This is the Rajadamnoen champion.
Big champion!
I don't know what you want.
They don't want people like you here.
You have to get one thing straight.
They respect only one thing, money.
If you can prove to them that You can make big money for them,
then maybe you'll get to stay.
Until then, you'll keep your mouth shut. OK?
I make a wish, huh?
"Dear Maima...
I've been here a while.
My life is fantastic.
They treat me like a king here.
I think of you every day. I'll pay you back soon..."
Hold on... Hold on!
Good, good!
Thank you!
Coffee, do me a favor. I have to go somewhere.
I don't know who he wants to see.
- Hello. - Hello.
I'm looking for Kim.
You understand English?
I'm looking for Kim.
What does he want?
He wants to see Miss Kim.
Hi.
Kim is not here. What do you want from her?
I've got this from her father.
I have to give it to her.
- Ah, you have a gift. - Yes.
- Give it to me. - Sorry, I cannot.
I really have to give it to her.
Can I wait here?
No, you cannot wait here.
I'm sorry.
OK. OK...
So, do you know where I can find her?
- No. - OK.
Thank you.
Son of a bitch!
Jerk!
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
- I don't know where she is. - Don't worry, he told me where she works.
Hello.
- May I talk to Kim, please? - Kim?
Sure. Wait here, please.
- She's here? - Yes.
I'll tell her. One moment, please.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Hello.
Hello.
- Have we met? - This may come as a shock,
but Jean sent me.
- This is for you. - What is it?
Your father's notebook.
I don't want it, thank you.
He probably didn't tell you,
but he left my mother and me.
Read it anyway. I don't know your story,
but your father took the trouble to write to you,
and he's really a great guy.
I last saw him when I was 5. I don't remember.
Can't you see?
Your trip's been wasted. Sorry.
Wait...
I haven't finished talking.
Sorry. I'm listening.
I'll keep the book. If I give to you now, you'd throw it away.
I'll leave you to think it over.
If you want to read it later, call me.
I'm at Lukbarnyai, a boxing camp.
Yes, I know it.
Right. Well...
Goodbye then.
Hey, foreigner!
You and me boxing, OK?
- OK. - OK, fine.
Let's give him a chance.
- Rayane! - Yes?
Oh, hello.
Tomorrow morning, you have to run with the boxers.
You understand?
- Oh! Thanks! - Keep cleaning.
Thank you.
Yeah!
Another 400.
Harder! Harder!
Rayane! Eat with us!
- Chok dee. - Chok dee...
Coffee.
What does "chok dee" mean?
You have a tattoo and you don't know what it means?
It's "good luck".
Good luck?
Who did it for you?
A friend.
- Good morning. - Hello.
Oh, so many boxers!
Yes, a lot at the moment.
Please have a seat.
Hey, Coffee!
Who's that guy?
He's not a guy, he's Mr. Amorn!
Very important. He's a big promoter.
- Who's the foreigner? - A Frenchman.
Kim Yu took him in.
Most foreigners I've seen
don't behave well.
For everyone's good,
- I want him out. - I'll take care of it.
- Up! - Come see your big brother!
Listen, the schedule's set. Be ready!
Carry on with your training.
Rayane...
Mr. Amorn wants you out of the camp.
I've been a trainer for 10 years.
I know a champion when I see one.
Mr. Amorn organizes fights at Pinsinchai camp.
So it's easy...
You win, you stay.
You lose, you go.
- Understand? - OK.
Hello, everyone.
Please, sit down.
- How's it going? - Fine.
- My wife... - Hello.
Look...
Jaiphet the champion.
He's fighting Sombat.
- When? - Soon.
Good luck!
- How do you feel? - Good.
He doesn't have a fighter's spirit.
He's worthless.
Please...
No hitting below the belt.
Box!
Rayane, high kick. Really nice...
High kick...
Keep your guard up, elbows... breathe!
Do you want to continue?
- Sorry. - You lost.
- I'm sorry. - You fight good...
But you're not strong enough.
No problem. I'll go home.
What do you think?
Lukbarnyai is your home.
- What? - Lukbarnyai is your home.
You can stay, Rayane,
but you'll have to work hard.
Hey. Got good news for you. You don't have to clean the toilets anymore.
Yeah, I know.
I'm going to miss you.
I'm going to miss you too. Thank you.
Harder!
Very good...
Harder...
Stand up!
Stand up!!
OK, good!
Good, good. Give him water.
The next schedule?
The foreigner...
He's already scheduled.
- What's up? - You'll be boxing soon, Rayane.
Kwo-Ang, You're a champion. Why don't you fight here?
Asthma.
- I cannot fight. - I'm sorry.
I thought you didn't like boxing.
I don't like children boxing.
I just want to be alone!
Kim!
You owe it to me!
Kim. Where were you? I was looking for you.
- I needed some air. - Tell me, really...
- What does the foreigner want? - Nothing.
Nothing? I don't believe you!
You know I don't like French people!
Look at your father!
You're an idiot.
What were you saying?
I forgot, dad... A Frenchman came asking for Kim.
He said he had something to give her...
from her father.
He's a boxer.
Better and better.
You'll see. If he comes near you again...
Forget it!
You'll do nothing at all.
He was smuggling heroin.
- That's what they said. - "They"?
Who's "they"?
I read the notebook
and found out his side of the story.
He wrote loads of letters to you
and you never replied.
I never received anything.
Not a single letter.
Hello... It's me.
I need information about a foreigner, a Frenchman.
It's really good to see you again.
Why didn't you call before?
I wasn't sure I wanted to see you.
- Wiwat? - Yes.
I'd like to thank you for my daughter. Anyone would have done the same.
I'm not talking about raising her.
But it's kind of you not bringing her to see me.
Take your time.
Be calm.
I've been resting for 15 years.
She's a big girl now, you know.
She works for my foundation.
Still in big business?
Yes, but times are hard.
Anyway...
I've reserved a room for you.
The boss is a friend, you'll be fine.
Thank you.
Rayane! Mail!
Immigration.
They won't renew my visa.
Don't worry! Mr. Amorn will take care of it.
I'm not sure.
You should be, because he arranged everything for me.
Yeah? That's why you clean the toilets?
No.
If you know where I came from, cleaning up is an honor.
I'm happy, I don't have any worries.
Do you know what an untouchable is?
In India, an untouchable's life
is worse than dogs.
I was an untouchable.
I lived in hell and I wanted to escape.
One day, I opened the trunk of a car.
It was Mr. Amorn's car.
I hid myself in it.
Just before the border, he found me,
but he didn't say anything.
He saved my life.
He brought me here.
You know, Mr. Amorn is a great person.
Good.
But I don't want to ask him anything.
It'll only take two days.
We pass the border,
and 12 hours later you have a visa.
Trust me, everyone does it.
BURMA
I didn't know...
The gamblers hate your boxing! My schedule's screwed!
- But he won! - Because he's lucky.
But I'm not! I lost over 10 million baht!
I told you, he boxes like a white man. No warrior spirit!
You could've won by KO!
It doesn't matter.
To win over the crowd,
use your elbows right from the start!
Split his head open in round 1.
But we can't use elbows before round 3.
That's for the bookies, what do you care?
Get him right away!
Make them notice you!
That's why you sweat it like all whites.
Trust me.
I've been there, done it.
First round, wham!
There are 60,000 boxers in Thailand.
I hope you're not just here for the ride.
Same drink again, please.
You're putting away plenty.
Hey, you! Yes, I'm talking to you!
Turn it down a little, OK?
They're as drunk as you are.
I'm not drunk, just glad to see you.
There's more to it than that.
No there isn't, Rayane.
I've screwed up my life.
I was set up. Got 15 years.
I'm broke and I can't get my money back.
I had a wonderful wife.
She died while I was in prison.
My daughter never answered my letters.
Otherwise, great!
Kim read the notebook.
It gave her quite a shock.
Have you seen her yet?
Yes, I...
Yes.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry. I really screwed up.
I'm a great role model, huh?
A piece of shit, right?
You need a shower. It'll do you good.
- OK? - Yeah, fine.
Get undressed. I'll run the water.
This is my temple.
We came here before each major fight.
The last one, I stayed longer.
But no one was listening.
I lost. I never made it back again.
I made 2 wishes in jail.
One's just come true. That's you, Rayane.
You know the other...
One day, a girl came in here.
An angel...
Or at least as beautiful.
An American had rented for a week.
When I went to their table,
she looked at me and my heart just stopped.
Hers too...
Love at first sight. It only comes once.
When the john got up to make a call,
I went straight over.
I kidnapped your mother. I'm going to buy this restaurant.
For once, I'll do something worthwhile.
Make up for lost time...
Your elbows!
AOMNOI TOURNAMENT
Elbows!!
Use your elbows, damn it!
And what about your legs?!
- Happy? - Yeah.
I've always told you the truth.
Well, I have bad news.
If you win the next fight...
- It's Rajadamnoen next! - Huh?
No!
Damn!
I don't want to mess around.
All you have to do is to settle your debt.
What debt?
Our business
was rocks. Diamonds, emeralds...
French customs found five kilos of pure heroin in my case.
You stuck it in my case!
I hated you.
For a very long time, every day,
I thought about how to kill you.
I just want my share.
For the rest,
it's too late.
That's all I can do.
I'm sure you understand.
At the end of this month,
you'll go back to your country.
I came in peace
and you want war.
- Where's Kwo-Ang? - I don't know.
Excuse me, where's Kwo-Ang?
You have nothing to do in the kitchen.
Go watch TV.
Let me help you.
Coffee?
Have you seen Kwo-Ang around?
No, he's not here.
Everybody is telling me the same thing.
Kim Yu threw him out.
What?
Illegal fights. They're tough...
But you make a lot more money.
- So? - So, sometimes Kim Yu doesn't care,
but Kwo-Ang was doing so many fights at night!
He told me he was sick.
He could die in an illegal fight!
Believe me. They don't care!
Kwo-Ang's the backroom champion.
He's never been beaten.
Do you know where I can find him?
No...
What's going on?
I don't know.
The police...
- Hello... - Hello.
- There's a problem. - What?
- You can't go up. - Why?
I can't tell you.
Sir, Madam... please!
OK, OK...
Wait, please!
Dad! What's going on?
I don't know. A misunderstanding.
- Police. Step aside. - What is it?
- Stay calm. - What did my father do??
I told you not to come.
I've found you now, I won't lose you.
- Hi. - Hi.
You OK?
Ecstatic!
Fifty to a cell.
All comedians. Never a dull moment.
No, seriously.
So far, I'm OK. They think I have cash,
but that won't last.
We'll get you a good lawyer.
It's no use.
They found coke in my room,
not sugar.
Any ideas?
Yeah.
The same set-up twice. Funny guy!
- Some homecoming, huh? - I'll get you out.
Don't try anything!
Just forget it, OK?
Keep on boxing.
I can look after myself.
You drop it too.
We can't leave him like that.
I never said we would...
- You know how much bail is here? - No.
A million baht!
- What?! - A million baht!
- OK. - Where are you going?
Wiwat puts on unofficial fights...
Right.
The rules are simple...
No rules.
The fight is stopped when one of the boxers is knocked out.
I'm going to bet a lot of money on you...
A lot of money...
and you'll get 20%.
It's finished, my friend. Finished.
So, how many unofficials?
What do you mean?
Why is your face bruised?
How many fights to get me out?
- I don't understand. - I'm not a fool!
How did you make bail, huh?
Hell, I told you I'd look after myself!
He has you by the balls now!
You can forget about Rajadamnoen!
What are you talking about?
I don't give a damn about Rajadamnoen! Not a damn!!
There are other places!!
But Raja's the big one! Forget the rest...
Don't end up like me!!
Stop the car. I need some air.
Shit!
Hey, Jean! Jean!!
Coffee! Coffee!
Bye.
They don't want you anymore here.
Rayane!
...even if he can join us.
Our organization is clean.
Got it?
So, I'll let you run it.
Your Rayane boxes for Wiwat now.
Yes, I know,
but he thought he was helping me.
What happened is my fault.
I've never asked anyone for anything, but...
Help me. Help me today.
Did they get them all?
OK... Great.
It's over.
- And Rayane? - Outside.
Thank you.
Hey, Jean!
- Chok dee! - Chok dee, champ!
Chok dee!
I don't like the bars. Bad memories!
I have something to give you outside.
You hear?
Sit down! Sit down!
Sit down! Chok dee!
- Remember this? - Yes.
I'd like you to wear it.
I'll be in the front row at Rajadamnoen.
Listen to me...
Promise me one thing, for Kim.
Always listen to her, even when she says nothing.
OK.
Thanks.
"The first few seconds will be very crucial,
because we know how Jaiphet functions.
He uses his legs hard, and he will try
to knock Rayane off his balance from the start."
"Look at the promoter, Songchai Ratanasuban.
He's the top promoter in Thailand."
Rayane! Rayane!!
Use your elbows!
Rayane!!
Use your elbows!! Keep your arms up!
Don't forget, Rayane!
Rayane! Deep breaths!
Deep breaths!
You can do it, Rayane!
"Rayane is the winner at the Rajadamnoen!"
RAYANE!!!
RAYANE!! RAYANE!!!
"6 months later, in Las Vegas,
Rayane became the world champion
with an elbow KO in round 1."