GALA SCREENING

THE FIRE INSIDE

The Fire Inside Play Button

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