GALA SCREENING
THE FIRE INSIDE
Director Rachel Morrison—the first woman nominated for an Academy Award in Cinematography for Mudbound—makes her feature debut in this narrative based on the true story of boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields. The Fire Inside follows the journey of young Claressa (Ryan Destiny), a fiercely talented boxer from Flint, Michigan.
Sneaking into a local gym to spar with the boys, she catches the eye of coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), who mentors her through the highs and lows of her rise. As Claressa trains for the Olympics, the weight of her city’s hopes and her personal struggles test her resilience. Ryan Destiny delivers a powerful performance, balancing intensity and vulnerability, while Henry provides warmth and patience in a complex role.
Written and produced by Academy Award-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk), the film is a gripping underdog story that captures both the intimate moments of Claressa’s life and her electrifying matches in the ring.
This film will be presented with Open Captions visible on screen. For more information, visit VAFF Accessibility.
“A deceptively brilliant twist on the inspirational sports film”
-Robert Daniels, Screen International
Date
Sun, Nov 3, 2024
Time
12:10 PM
Location
The Paramount Theater
Film Info
Director: Rachel Morrison
Runtime: 109 min.
Year: 2024
Country: USA
Language: English
Accessibility: Open Captions
Featuring: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry