The Iron Ladies

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The Iron Ladies

2001

1h 44m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, "The Iron Ladies" describes the inexorable march of a volleyball team composed mostly of transsexuals, transvestites, and some rather effeminate gay guys to the Thai male national championships in 1996. An entire team of gays, transvestites and transsexuals is a practically unheard of situation in Thailand.

Critics Consensus

The sports movie Iron Ladies is as predictable and sentimental as many of its American counterparts.

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Brandon Judell

IndieWire

Hilarious true story of Thailand's champion volleyball team that was composed of flaming drag queens

Jun 28, 2014

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Jane Sumner

Dallas Morning News

Broad, sentimental but ultimately irresistible.

Jan 17, 2002

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Tim Cogshell

Boxoffice Magazine

It isn't very coy, but it avoids individual stereotypes.

Dec 23, 2001

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 21, 2005

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Harry Guerin

RTÉ (Ireland)

Leaves you longing for the full time whistle

Rated: 2/5

May 22, 2003

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Chuck Wilson

L.A. Weekly

Fails to dig below the surface novelty of its subject.

Jan 20, 2003

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Audience Member

Imagine Cool Runnings meets Priscilla, Queen of The Desert. It's a sadly formulaic underdog sports movie, and most of the humour is basically "tee-hee, we're gay!" but it somehow remains watchable and is an interesting insight into Thai and kathoey culture.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

very good, funny and lovely, it's the best ladyboy comedy movie I've ever seen from Thailand.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

An out-and-out old-fashioned underdog sports film. Plenty of charm and sassy attitude that only a group of queens can deliver.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Just so funny. Great movie from Thailand.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Story about Thailand's first ever all-queer volleyball team. They struggle to compete in Thailand's prestigious volleyball tournament. Heartwarming but damn funny to the core.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Based on a true story, this remarkable, comical film talks about the lady boys who made it through the national volleyball competition when the odds were against them.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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Yongyoot Thongkongtoon

Director

Jesdaporn Pholdee

Chai

Sahapap Virakamin

Mon

Tankhun Jitt-itsara

Wit

Giorgio Maiocchi

Nong

Chaicharn Nimpulsawasdi

Jung

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, "The Iron Ladies" describes the inexorable march of a volleyball team composed mostly of transsexuals, transvestites, and some rather effeminate gay guys to the Thai male national championships in 1996. An entire team of gays, transvestites and transsexuals is a practically unheard of situation in Thailand.

Director: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon
Producer: Visute Poolvoralaks
Screenwriter: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, Visuthichai Boonyakarinjana, Jira Maligool
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Tai Entertainment, Mono Film
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Thai
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 7, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $112.2K
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)