Sharp, rapid and powerful, Antoine boxes as a lightweight. Recently orphaned, he is the pride and joy, as well as surrogate son, of Chief, who runs the amateur club where Antoine trains in the evenings. The two dine at a local Chinese restaurant, where the young boxer catches the eye of the owner's daughter, Su. A whirlwind courtship takes place and life for Antoine begins to move in a positive direction. His day job as an assistant in a funeral parlour will shortly reap dividends, he surmises, believing there will soon be a 'death boom' to counter the 'baby boom' of the 50s. But when Chief announces some news that doesn't sit well with Antoine, the young protégé must learn to confront his destructive impulses if he is to continue on his path to recovery.

Direct from selection in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Lightweight is an engaging and heartfelt look at the tenacious struggle of a tormented young man.

D/S Jean-Pierre Ameris P Philippe Godeau WS Flach Pyramide International L French w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2004/90mins

Jean-Pierre Ameris was born in France in 1961. Films include: Le Bateau de Mariage (1994), Mauvais Frequentations (1999), C'est la Vie (2001).