T-Rex
Description
In the new Olympic sport of women’s boxing, 17-year-old Claressa Shields— nicknamed “T-Rex” for her ferocious fighting style—bursts out from the total obscurity of a small Flint, Michigan, gym to compete for a coveted gold medal. The product of an unstable home life in a city better known for its high unemployment and murder rates than for its declining industry, Shields refuses to surrender to the negative forces surrounding her. Instead, she nurses a dream of becoming a champion boxer, willing herself to the gym where she changes the mind of a coach who doesn’t believe that women should use their fists. This documentary captures Shields’ long-shot quest, the tenacious sparring with boys during her training, private moments of doubt and the frustrating struggle to find endorsements in a world not sold on women’s boxing, all of it leading to electrifying bouts during the 2012 London Olympics. Filmmakers Drea Cooper and Zackary Canepari capture Shields’ mighty ascent in a tale that possesses all of the adrenaline and force of her right hook, yet is also intimate, emotional and exhilarating. —Gustavus Kundahl
Bay Area co-producers and directors Drea Cooper (left) and Zackary Canepari (right) collaborated on the documentary short series California Is A Place, which includes “Superman,” “Aquadettes” (SFIFF 2012 Golden Gate Award winner), “Uppercut” and “Big Vinny,” before turning their full attention to Olympic boxer Claressa Shields.
Trailer
//player.vimeo.com/video/122138353?autoplay=1Film Details
Language English
Year 2015
Runtime 87
Country USA
Director Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari
Producer Sue Jaye Johnson, Bianca Darville, Gary Kout
Editor Jean Kawahara, Drea Cooper
Cinematographer Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari
Music Matt Joynt, Nathan Sandberg