Just like the TIFF audience, by the time the credits rolled at the world premiere of Christy, star Sydney Sweeney got choked up while speaking directly to the real-life boxer on stage.
“Christy, you are absolutely incredible, and I am so honored. I’m gonna cry, oh my God,” the Euphoria and Anyone But You actress said to Martin directly during the Q&A portion at the movie’s Toronto International Film Festival debut. “You’re so inspirational, and to be able to have her by my side during this process was a dream, but then also just scary too because you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh! We’re doing all of this in front of her.'”
Sweeney continued, “I wasn’t quite sure — like she’s the greatest boxer in the entire world and I’m having to do hooks and hits and I’m like, I hope I’m doing this right. But it was a dream come true as an actor, as a person. It was incredible.”
Sweeney stars in Christy, directed by David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), as the pioneering female boxer, known as the “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” The story tracks her early rise in the sport; her meeting with her future boxing trainer and husband, Jim Martin (Ben Foster); their violent, abusive relationship that resulted in her near death; her repressed attraction to other women; meeting her future wife, Lisa Holewyne (Katie O’Brien); and more.
Courtesy of TIFF
“I trained for 2-3 months before [filming],” Sweeney says. “I had a boxing coach, I had weight trainers, I had nutritionists, I trained three times a day every day, and then while we filmed I trained as well.”
Foster also shared he did not meet with the real-life Jim Martin, as it “felt disrespectful in some capacity” to Martin herself. “We were going to find another door,” he said. “So we discussed the subject of coercive control and domestic violence at depth. I spoke with some previous friends and spoke with Dave and Syd, and we just cork screwed into what is frightfully not Christy’s triumphant career, but those that do struggle at home quietly. It was of the utmost importance that we honored that as best we could.”
Returning the favor to Sweeney, Martin praised her performance and ability to disappear into the role. “She got to be this totally different person that none of you expected,” she said. “She wasn’t the beautiful, sexy Sydney. She was the tough, rugged Christy in this movie. And I think it’s awesome. She kicks ass!”
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The TIFF audience in attendance certainly agreed. When the credits began to roll, the crowd stood for a standing ovation that lasted through the initial end credits. They gave an extra burst of shouts and applause when Sydney’s name came up on screen. The audience then gave Martin her own standing ovation when she emerged as the last Q&A participant to take the stage.
“I made a deal with God from the hospital bed,” Martin said, referring to a particular scene in the movie, “that if he let me live, I would help as many people as possible. Actually, I said ‘one person’ before I die, and then the arrogant me said, ‘No, I want to help one person every day before I die.’ … And I hope that this movie does just that.”
Christy will open in theaters this Nov. 7.
