The sport of boxing will once again be featured on the big screen this weekend (November 7) as Black Bear Pictures presents the biopic Christy, which releases at select theaters nationwide.
The film depicts the life of International Boxing Hall of Famer Christy Martin, played by Sydney Sweeney, as she struggles with expressing her sexuality, domestic violence, and drug abuse, all while becoming one of the pioneers in women’s boxing. It’s a compelling film that aims to support those facing similar struggles and also shares Martin’s inspiring story.
FightsATW recently sat down with Sweeney and Martin to discuss Christy. One of the most notable features of Sweeney’s performance was her eyes and how she was able to shift their expression from Martin the fighter to Martin the person. Throughout the film, there was pain, determination, and strength in those eyes, which Sweeney captures perfectly. When asked whether she focused on that while preparing for the role, she quickly realized it felt like something that came naturally.
“I think that maybe subconsciously, I picked it up. I didn’t plan for it, but it just happens,” Sweeney told FightsATW. “To be honest, I didn’t even realize it until you (FightsATW) said it. I think that when I dive into my characters and having Christy (Martin) as a real person who was with me, by my side during it all, it changes the entire process and helps immensely — it was a gift. When I have that kind of access but then also just a plethora of material to study as well, I feel like when I go into it, I lose myself completely.”
While Sweeney was answering questions, Martin sat quietly next to her, patiently waiting for her turn to be asked about the film. After Sweeney answered the first round of questions, Martin then began to respond to the questions being asked. There was a cameo by Martin at the end of the film where she tells Sweeney, “You got this champ.” When you see it, there’s a feeling that Martin is telling herself that, regardless of her past and whatever she may be going through today, she “got this.” Martin addressed the cameo while also mentioning that she was unaware she was going to be in the film.
“That was added that night, which happened to be the last night of filming,” said Martin. “At the last moment, David (Michod) said, ‘Come on Christy. We’re going to put you in.’ And then he told me to not say anything, but I couldn’t help it. Like when I see Sydney walk into the ring, I needed to tell her, ‘You got this, champ.’ I would like to say David had it planned all along because he didn’t want to tell everyone as a surprise.
“A lot of people asked me, ‘You mean he’s not going to put you in? You’re not going to be sitting ringside?’ I said, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know’ but he did, and it was awesome.”
In the end, Martin understands the many difficult topics portrayed in the film, which is why she can’t single out any one as more important than the others. However, she did want to send a message to those who will be watching the film.
“I can’t say any of those (domestic violence, sexuality, etc.) are ones that are more important than the other. So I will say this: I think I’m the ultimate underdog, and if you believe it, you can achieve it. I believed it, and I feel like I achieved it. So that’s going to be the message I will go with.”
Martin’s story has been well documented in documentaries and books, but there is something unique about the film Christy. Sweeney gives a career-best performance as Martin, who has faced incredible odds both inside and outside the ring throughout her life. Christy is a powerful movie and a story that needed to be told on the big screen; it hits theaters this weekend.
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