Synopsis
Acclaimed cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Black Panther) makes her feature film debut as a director with this inspirational sports drama: the true story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, considered by many to be the greatest female boxer of all time. With a screenplay by Miami’s own Barry Jenkins, the film follows Shields (played by Ryan Destiny) as the high school junior from Flint, Michigan, trains for the 2012 Olympics, where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in boxing. Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) plays her “tough love” coach, Jason Crutchfield, who pushes her hard towards victory. “In more pedestrian hands, her story might easily have emerged as standard triumph-over-adversity fare,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter, “but in this case, the assembled talent brings their A-game, yielding results that transcend convention at every turn.”
All tickets to the film include a pre-screening discussion with Lovia Gyarkye, arts and culture critic for The Hollywood Reporter, and Time’s Stephanie Zacharek.
Tickets available for THE FIRE INSIDE + the Opening Night Party at the historic Audubon House & Tropical Gardens. Toast the 13th Annual Key West Film Festival with us!