Chocolate (2008)

An autistic girl with powerful martial art skills looks to settle her ailing mother's debts by seeking out the ruthless gangs that owe her family money.

Director:

Prachya Pinkaew

Writers:

Napalee (screenplay), Chookiat Sakveerakul (screenplay)

Stars:

JeeJa Yanin, Hiroshi Abe, Pongpat Wachirabunjong

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
JeeJa Yanin	...	Zen (as Yanin Vismitananda)
Hiroshi Abe	...	Masashi
Pongpat Wachirabunjong	...	No.8
Taphon Phopwandee	...	Mangmoon
Ammara Siripong	...	Zin (as Ammara Siriphong)
Dechawut Chuntakaro	...	Priscilla
Hiro Sano	...	Ryo (as Hirokazu Sano)
Aroon Wanatsabadeewong	...	Ice Factory Owner-Ice Man (as Aroon Wanasbodeewong)
Anusuk Jangajit	...	Candy Shop Owner
Nattakit Teachachevapong	...	Pork Man
Sirimongkhon Iamthuam	...	Boxer No.8 Henchman
Kittitat Kowahagul	...	Epileptic Boxer
Thanyathon Seekhiaw	...	Fur
Pirom Ruangkitjakan	...	Petch
Abalhaja Soumia	...	Boxer's Henchman

Storyline

When Zin, former girlfriend of a Thai mob boss, falls for Masashi, a Japanese gangster in Thailand, the boss banishes them: Masashi to Japan, and Zin, with her small daughter Zen, to live next to a martial arts school. Zen is autistic, with uncanny swift reflexes. She watches the students next door and Muay Thai movies, absorbing every technique. She's now a teen, and her mother needs chemotherapy. Zin has taken in a chubby kid, Moom, who watches over Zen. Moom finds a ledger listing business men who owe Zin money; he goes to them one at a time to collect in order to pay for Zin's treatment. Zen, with her martial skills, becomes his enforcer. A showdown with the boss is inevitable.

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Plot Keywords:

money | thailand | autistic | martial arts | martial arts school | 

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Taglines:

She's sweet but deadly.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence throughout, and brief sexuality/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai Japanese English

Release Date:

6 February 2008 (Thailand)

Also Known As:

Zen - The Warrior Within

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,180 (USA) (6 February 2009)

Gross:

$13,925 (USA) (13 February 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sahamongkol Film International, Baa-Ram-Ewe

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 90 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the actors got injured and to had to be hospitalized during the shooting.

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Connections

Features Ong-bak (2003)

User Reviews

Good athletics !

For a start this movie has a story line without to many hickups and the main actors show a certain sensibility not common in a martial art flick. Basically it's about how athletic a human body can be and, if you put behind the idea of a young girl capable to fight a LOT of men, quite enjoyable. The truth goes on in the end, where they show a couple of scenes from production, making people understand this is a movie, not the real life. The acrobatic scenes on the building and the fight are the best scenes, even if ripped from Ong Bak and The Protector, but it's good to see there are many people capable to do this. Sit back and enjoy a good ride from the Thai cinema.