The film centers on a young deaf woman named “Keiko” (Yukino Kishii), who finds solace in boxing, already having participated in two competitions. Living amidst constant city noise, she exists primarily in silence, relying on sounds she creates internally. As her next competition approaches, she realizes things are about to change. Her biggest critic, a longtime supporter and the aging owner of her gym (Tomokazu Miura), is experiencing declining health, and as his eyesight fails, Keiko must confront the loss of this vital space that has nurtured and inspired her. Keiko carries emotional baggage, and with significant changes looming in her routine, she’s compelled to grapple with past choices and their impact on her future. The story unfolds during a period when COVID was widespread, which further isolates her because mask-wearing limits her ability to lip-read—leaving her feeling even more disconnected from a community that makes assumptions about her abilities. Kishii gives a truly moving performance. She portrays a woman who is self-assured within the ring but otherwise reserved and shy in everyday life, and it's quite affecting without being overly sentimental. It’s easy to understand the challenges she faces navigating a world where her disability sets her apart, though I didn't feel pity for her; rather, I admired her integrity as she resists compromising her values despite limited choices. Her unsatisfying job as a cleaner clearly isn't her ultimate destination. As she searches for a new training location, it becomes clear that she’s not one to be held back by any sense of security. The film incorporates intimate photography that allows the viewer a glimpse into Keiko’s world, just as she begins to draw us in. It develops gradually and offers an unfinished, documentary-style perspective on this pivotal moment in her life—a quality I appreciated because it enhanced the feeling of realism as her story unfolds, revealing her resilience and highlighting complex societal attitudes.

Source on TMDB