Victor Young Perez
 
Director -  Jacques Ouaniche     
 
2013, French, English & Hebrew
France, Bulgaria, UK, Israel


Cast: Brahim Asloum, Steve Suissa, Isabella Orsini, Patrick Bouchitey, Davy Sardou, Bruce Payne 

Victor "Young" Perez , tells the true and incredibly moving story of the Tunisian Jewish boxer, who became the World Champion in 1931 and 1932. Victor Perez started training as a boxer at age 14 along with his older brother Benjamin "Kid" Perez. He rose to great fame thanks to the help and guidance of Leon Bellier and had a relationship with French-Italian actress Mireille Balin.

The 5'1", 110-pound Perez won the International Boxing Union’s crown with a 2nd-round knockout of American champion Frankie Genaro, becoming the youngest world champion in boxing history. Perez was arrested in Paris on September 21, 1943 and arrived at Auschwitz on October 10, 1943, as part of "Transport 60". He was held in Auschwitz III/Monowitz. Whilst there he was forced to participate in boxing matches for the amusement of the Nazis.

By 1945. Victor had survived 140 bouts in 15 months and won 139. Perez was one of the prisoners on the "Death March that left the camp on January 18, 1945.


Script : Yoni Darmon, Jacques Ouaniche
Photography : Pierre-Yves Bastard
Editor : Emmanuelle Mimran
Art Director : Laure Balzan-Sorin