aGLIFF Centerpiece: Like a Virgin

Originally released in South Korea under the name Cheonhajangsa Madonna (we can see why they changed the name), this heartwarming comedy centers on Oh Dong-ku (Ryu Deok Hwan), a high school sophomore who is saving up to get a sex change operation so that he can become the girl he believes is truly inside of him. Despite much ridicule from classmates and his drunken father, he struggles on, working part-time and socking it away, until he discovers the sport of Ssireum—a type of traditional Korean wrestling. Though he is a geeky type with no previous interest in sports, he wants the grand tournament cash prize, which happens to be the exact amount he needs. On top of that, he seems to be a natural.

This is a tried and true genre movie with a thoroughly modern twist, and the two blend surprisingly well. Though the emotions played here are real and treated seriously, there’s also plenty to laugh at. Hwan is heartbreakingly funny as the kid who doesn’t know how to act around cool kids and bullies, and he’s surrounded by a talented cast of comic actors that make every moment in this great script entertaining. Funny in all the right places but deeply touching when it wants to be, this film will make you smile on the inside as well as out. We challenge you not to watch the Karate Kid-style tournament without holding your breath.