This Christmas, let chestnuts roast by ‘The Fire Inside’.
Collider: This is your feature directorial debut, but youre no stranger to how a film set works.
RACHEL MORRISON: Thats a great question.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
What I love about directing is that people actually listen to you.
Were so lucky to do this thing that we love.
Were making art, were not saving lives, so lets have a great time doing it.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Theyre surrounded by people.
That was my experience, as a DP.
What gave you the confidence to say, Okay, this is my moment?
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
And also, seeing some of myself in it.
So, there was a lot about it that just felt right.
Written by Barry Jenkins, ‘The Fire Inside’ is a boxing film that shines outside the ring.
Were taught that winning will answer everything, but sometimes winning really isnt enough.
This is such an inspiring story, but its also a reality check, in a lot of ways.
Why do you think thats an important story to tell?
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
What do you think makes that inspirational, in its own way?
MORRISON: Theres something much more inspirational about realism.
Its not like, Okay, thats it.
You still have to get up the next day.
We have these ups and downs, but you cant stay down, you have to keep going.
How did you want to approach those scenes?
The Fire Inside chronicles the journey of boxer Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields from Flint, Michigan, as she trains and becomes the first American woman to achieve an Olympic gold medal in boxing, highlighting her determination and athletic achievements.
What was most important to you and how did you want to capture that?
She goes from being this vulnerable high school teenager to being a force in the ring.
And so, getting to explore both of those was really exciting.
Did you have a very clear idea of where you needed to focus and what you needed to cut?
Was there anything you agonized over?
As a result, the edit was so simple and smooth.
We got very lucky that I think I made the right choices.
Our assembly cut is basically the movie.
So then, it was just about honing it.
Its the same movie.
It was more about just honing in on the performances and honing in on the music.
Music can make such a difference, whether its the needle drops or the score.
Working with my composer, Tamar-kali, was amazing.
But we didnt have much else, so thankfully what we had worked.
The Fire Insideis now playing in theaters.
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