
The True Spirit follows Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen, two urban Indigenous boxers whose ambitions are shaped by talent, family and social expectations. As their confidence and sense of belonging are tested, the documentary examines the personal uncertainty behind competitive boxing and the search for a direction beyond the ring.
The True Spirit is a 2026 Taiwanese documentary centered on two young boxers, Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen. Their stories begin in the ring but extend into questions of education, identity, pressure and belonging.
Directed by Andrie Huang, the film focuses on the experiences of urban Indigenous youths whose relationships with boxing are complicated by expectations from others and uncertainty about their own futures.
The True Spirit movie details
| Title | The True Spirit |
|---|---|
| Original title | 遠離祖靈的孩子 |
| Release date | |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Director | Andrie Huang |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Liu Li-Chen was a national junior-high boxing champion whose confidence began to falter after entering high school. Balancing boxing with academic expectations and questions about his Indigenous identity, he struggles to understand which direction his life should take.
Su Jing-Wen comes from the Nanjing Indigenous community in Sanxia, New Taipei City, and is regarded as a promising Olympic boxer. Although she continues to train, her commitment is tied to the expectations placed on her, while her life in the city has not given her a strong sense of belonging.
Together, their stories place competitive boxing alongside broader questions about identity, purpose and the pressures that can shape a young athlete’s choices.

What to expect
As a documentary about boxing, The True Spirit is grounded in the lives of two athletes rather than a fictional sports narrative. The supplied synopsis points to training, competition and the emotional effects of changing performance, while also giving substantial attention to academic pressure, Indigenous identity and urban belonging.
The film’s focus is personal and observational in subject: it follows two young people who are talented in the ring but uncertain about what boxing means for their futures. No runtime or additional production details are provided.
Cast and creative team
The True Spirit is directed by Andrie Huang. The documentary follows Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen in its central real-life subjects. No additional cast or writer credits are supplied.
Release and production context
The True Spirit is a documentary from Taiwan. It is listed with a release date of October 2, 2026, and is marked as released in the supplied metadata. The runtime, spoken language and production companies are not provided.
Movies Dock view
The True Spirit presents boxing as one part of a wider personal struggle, connecting athletic ambition with education, cultural identity and the need to find a place to belong. Its focus on Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen gives the documentary a clear human foundation while keeping their individual uncertainties at the center.
Frequently asked questions
What is The True Spirit about?
The True Spirit follows two urban Indigenous boxers, Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen, as they face athletic pressure, questions about identity and uncertainty about their futures.
Is The True Spirit a documentary?
Yes. The True Spirit is listed as a documentary.
Who directed The True Spirit?
The film was directed by Andrie Huang.
Who are the main subjects of The True Spirit?
The documentary centers on boxers Liu Li-Chen and Su Jing-Wen.
When was The True Spirit released?
The supplied metadata lists October 2, 2026, as the release date.
Film data:
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