A new documentary looks at the first woman boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. She’s from Flint, and the movie about her Olympic journey is coming to the Flint Institute of Arts this week. Current State's Melissa Benmark talks with filmmaker Sue Jaye Johnson.
A documentary about Flint, Michigan boxer Claressa Shields premieres in her hometown tomorrow night. Claressa Shields won the gold medal as a middleweight boxer at the 2012 Olympics, that was first year women were allowed to compete. The film looks at her bid for the Olympics, and beyond. It’s called “T-Rex,” which is Claressa’s nickname. It’s directed by Drea Cooper & Zackary Canepari and the producer is Sue Jaye Johnson, who has done film and radio work for NPR, PBS, and the New York Times magazine among others.
Current State's Melissa Benmark speaks with Johnson about what made her want to tell the boxer’s story.