A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)
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A British boxer's harrowing journey through the Thai prison system leads him to find redemption through the art of Muay Thai.
The story
Billy Moore, a young British boxer and troubled heroin addict, is arrested in Thailand and charged with possession of stolen goods and a firearm. Incarcerated in Klong Prem prison, he is quickly subjected to the horrors of Thai prison life, including being moved into a crowded cell ruled by a violent leader, being forced to sleep next to a corpse, and witnessing a brutal assault. His interactions with other prisoners and staff are tense and often violent. As life in prison worsens and his mental health deteriorates, Billy retreats into heavy drug abuse, struggling to survive the harsh environment of the Thai penal system.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Billy Moore, a young British boxer and heroin addict, is arrested in Thailand for possession of stolen goods and a firearm. In Klong Prem prison, he faces horrific conditions, including a cell ruled by Keng, being forced to sleep next to a corpse, and witnessing a rape. After a violent outburst against a guard, Billy attempts to befriend a transgender prisoner named Fame. His situation worsens as he turns to heavy drug abuse and beats two chefs after being bribed with ya ba. Billy eventually attempts suicide but is saved by an inmate. Seeking a way to fight his demons, he joins the prison boxing team with Fame's help. He learns Muay Thai and wins his first bout, leading the warden, Preecha, to transfer him to the boxing team cell. He becomes the first foreigner to represent the prison in a national tournament. Despite suffering from a drug-induced hernia and threats from Keng's gang, Billy competes in a grueling match, eventually knocking out his opponent with a spinning back elbow. The physical trauma causes him to vomit blood and pass out. He is hospitalized, eventually meets his father, and is later released on amnesty in 2010, dedicating his life to helping other addicts.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 117
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States; France; China
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
- Writers
- Jonathan Hirschbein · writer; Nick Saltrese · writer
- Cast and characters
- Joe Cole · Billy Moore; Pornchanok Mabklang · "Fame"; Panya Yimmumphai · Keng; Somluck Kamsing · Trainer; Vithaya Pansringarm · Officer Preecha; Chaloemporn Sawatsuk · "M"; Billy Moore · Billy's Father
- Genres
- biographical; prison drama; action; sports drama; martial arts
- Themes
- Redemption; Addiction; Survival; Martial Arts; Prison Life
- Tone and mood
- Harrowing; Gritty; Dramatic
- Setting
- Thailand prisons during the 2010s
- Premise and plot tags
- Biographical; Prison Drama; Sports Drama; Martial Arts; True Story
- Source material / true-story basis
- A Prayer Before Dawn: My Nightmare in Thailand's Prisons by Billy Moore
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 76/100 score on Metacritic, praised for Joe Cole's performance.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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