A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN

(18, 114 mins). Released: July 20 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas) BASED on a true story, A Prayer Before Dawn is a harrowing drama directed by Jean-stephane Sauvaire about one man’s hellish journey inside the Thai prison system.

The film is blessed with a fearless lead performance from London-born actor Joe Cole, who puts himself through the physical and emotional wringer in distressing scenes of abuse and intimidation meted out by prisoners and guards.

Shot in a Thai prison with a cast of real inmates, Sauvaire’s film centres on British boxer and drug addict Billy Moore (Cole), who is handed a three-year prison sentence for possession of stolen goods.

His punishment consigns him to two of Thailand’s notorious prisons - Chiang Mai and Klong Prem - where all of Billy’s fighting skills cannot protect him from the threat of night-time stabbings and sexual assaults.

As he tries to stay alive in this overcrowded hellhole, Billy realises that prisoners who fight in Muay Thai boxing tournaments are granted special privileges by the governor.

Consequently, Billy puts himself forward for the bouts and sparks up a fiery romance with transgender inmate Fame (Pornachanok Mabklang), who hands out cigarettes each week.

If Billy can emerge victorious inside the ring, he might reclaim his self-worth and earn his freedom.