Christy Martin, America’s first trailblazing female boxing champion, has her story told in the new biopic ‘Christy.’ The film had its world premiere to rave reviews at the Toronto Film Festival. Directed by David Michôd and starring Sydney Sweeney, the film follows Michôd’s earlier projects exploring wealth inequality and social collapse. It’s a testament to Martin’s journey, changing from a familiar, feel-good underdog athlete narrative into a terrifying countdown of coercive control.
In the 1990s, Christy Martin became a trailblazing figure in the sport of boxing, paving the way for women to step into a sport long ruled by men. Her passion, spirit, energy and resilience have made a deep impression on the sport and all its fans. Sweeney, who portrays Martin, expressed her admiration for the boxing champion, describing her as “the most full of energy and life, the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”
A Unique Direction
David Michôd took on the challenge of directing “Christy” after being convinced of Sweeney’s acting abilities through her previous roles. But more than anything, he couldn’t wait to see her perform on the sport’s biggest stage, in the boxing ring. Ultimately, the physicality of the role required intensive training and constant commitment.
On her age, I would say Christy is a feminist bombshell. She was still married to a man 25 years her senior for 20 years! How does that function? As Michôd asked, touching on the thorns and thickets of Martin’s relationships that the film is trying to navigate. Michôd and co-writer Mirrah Foulkes joined forces to tell the story of Martin’s victories. They dove deep into the more sinister aspects of her narrative.
According to Foulkes, “What Dave and I saw in Christy’s story was the opportunity to wrap it (domestic violence) in something that was very familiar to audiences, the cinematic cannon of underdog sporting movies.” This powerful lens allows us to see the hijacked undercurrents of coercive control that might otherwise go unnoticed. It allows for a more comprehensive, critical understanding that disrupts dominant narratives.
Immersive Preparation
In preparation, Sweeney threw herself into the role, training rigorously with a schedule that consisted of weightlifting and boxing sessions from sun-up to sundown. She shared her experience, stating, “I was drinking protein shakes after protein shakes after protein shakes, having to plug my nose and just chug it. It’s so gross. Weight training morning and night, boxing all day.”
This physical regimen presented serious challenges, but Sweeney saw it as necessary preparation for representing this important character truthfully. The emotional and mental tormentation of stepping into Martin’s shoes made her task all the more challenging.
I remember calling my entire team the day after that meeting very clearly. As they described this character, I realized that I wanted to be wherever this person was going. Sweeney remembered as she reflected on her first response to the screenplay.
Support from Christy Martin
Retired boxing champion Christy Martin and her partner Lisa played crucial roles in supporting the film, giving it authenticity. Unsurprisingly, they were pleased with how their narrative was framed. Michôd recalled a moment of relief when they received feedback: “We were sick with anxiety. The surrender we were asking for was huge. Then Christy and (her partner) Lisa called and said, ‘No notes. We love it.’ We cried.”
Foulkes characterized Martin’s story as more than just a boxing narrative. It is a “kind of gay boxing drama about domestic violence and coercive control.” This perspective adds depth to the film while encouraging viewers to reflect on the complexities of relationships marked by power imbalances.
