Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) and directed by Academy Award nominee and cinematographer turned filmmaker Rachel Morrison (“Black Panther”), “The Fire Inside” is a new inspirational sports drama that tells the story of what many is the tale of the greatest female boxer of all time Claressa Shields, who has held multiple world championships in five weight classes.
Originally titled “Flint Strong, “The Fire Inside”’ is based on “T-Rex,” a 2015 documentary that borrows Shields’ nickname in the sports world and tells the story of Shield training for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
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Ryan Destiny stars as the lead, alongside Academy Award nominee Brian Tyree Henry as her coach and Judy Greer. The film recently had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (read our review), and Amazon MGM studios will release it on Christmas Day this year.
THE FIRE INSIDE is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.
The film is produced by Elishia Holmes, p.g.a., Barry Jenkins, p.g.a., and executive producers on the project include Lyn Lucibello Brancatella, Rachel Morrison, Claressa Shields, Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari, and Sue Jaye Johnson.
“The Fire Inside” is due in theaters on Christmas Day. Watch the first trailer below.