Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry became best friends while working on The Fire Inside.
The film is based on the real story of Claressa Shields, who rose to boxing prominence thanks to her own talent and the efforts of her eccentric coach, Jason Crutchfield (Henry). Trey Mangum, Blavity/Shadow and Act’s managing editor, talked with Destiny and Henry about how they established their relationship while working together.
Creating chemistry beyond the camera
“What’s really great about this film is that you have the real relationship of who Claressa and Jason are. And what I really wanted to establish between Ryan and I is not just what’s done when they say action, but who we are when they say cut,” Henry said.
“I watched what she had to go through every time she jumped in that ring, every time that she put those gloves on, every time that she had to come out of that trailer with her hair natural, and she was losing her mind because she couldn’t do her eyebrows. I understood, you know,” Henry joked. “So I wanted to make sure that there was levity because there’s levity between the two of them too.
“The natural essence of who Ryan is is so bright and so silly and so aware and present that I never wanted us to lose sight of that with each other. So I was always at her trailer door playing music, annoying her. She’s drinking protein shakes; I’m eating Cheetos in her face. But I feel like that created our bond, that familial bond between the two of us.”
Stepping into Claressa Shields’ shoes
“I wanted her to feel safe, and I wanted her to feel comfortable because what was asked of her was nothing small. She’s literally stepping into the actual shoes of a two-time gold medalist,” Henry said.
“We applaud men when they do this all the time… But what she had to do, I mean, has not been done before. And so I wanted her to remember that. That even her existence is historical by stepping into it.”
Showing real highs and lows
Destiny also said the film’s decision to go beyond what happens after Shields becomes an Olympian was important to her, the cast, and the crew.
“I really do love the structure of our film. You know, it makes it feel a lot more real and relatable,” she said. “And I think that that’s why it’s so emotional to watch for a lot of people. You know, it’s something that you just feel when you see the highs and lows of life because we all know what that is and have experienced it all within ourselves before.
“I think it’s just very important to show that, especially with this story in particular, because it is such a shame that she didn’t get all of the things that she deserved in those moments. I think shining a light on that for people to recognize how insane it was for us to not know about the story itself is something that’s just very, very important to see,” she said. “I don’t think [the film] would be as special if it just showed all of the good things that were going on and ended on this super high note of victory. I think because of how it is structured, you just have a better appreciation for it. And I think that when people watch it, they’ll feel the same way and have been feeling the same way.”
The film first premiered at TIFF
The Fire Inside first premiered at TIFF this September to a great reception. The film is the directorial debut of Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison and was written by Barry Jenkins.
Here’s the official synopsis:
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.
Shields serves as executive producer. The Fire Inside comes to theaters from Amazon MGM Studios on Christmas Day.
Watch the full interview with Destiny, Henry and Morrison above.
