Part of the film series
Blissfully Thai

Dir. Yongyoot Thongkongtoon. 2000. Thailand. 104 min. 35mm. English subtitles.

Based on the true story of a male volleyball team made up of gays and transsexuals that competed in the Thai national championships in 1996, The Iron Ladies portrays the rise of a team against all odds. Filled with colorful characters including a transsexual cabaret beauty, a muscular army sergeant, and three seemingly identical cheerleaders always moving in synchrony, this upbeat and hilarious comedy was a major audience hit in Thailand and has picked up awards in multiple international LBGT film festivals.

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Yongyoot Thongkongtoon (b. 1967) graduated from Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. He is a film director, producer, and screenwriter. He worked in advertising before making the debut feature The Iron Ladies (2000), which won him multiple awards including: Teddy - Special Mention, Berlin International Film Festival; Discovery Award (2nd place), Toronto International Film Festival; Audience Award, New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival; Audience Award, San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival; Audience Award, Dublin Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Director Filmography (features): Best of Times (2009), Metrosexual (2006), M.A.I.D.) (2004), Iron Ladies 2 (2003), The Iron Ladies (2000).