Sydney Sweeney on ‘Christy’: 'It’s a Very Personal Issue That’s Important to Me'

Mumbai — Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has opened up about the deep personal connection she feels with her upcoming film “Christy”, a biographical sports drama based on the life of boxer Christy Martin, a pioneering figure in women’s boxing who survived years of domestic abuse.

The 28-year-old actress, who plays the titular role, said she hopes the film will help “raise more awareness” about domestic violence — an issue that is “very personal and important” to her.

“It’s a very personal issue that’s important to me, and I hope that through Christy and her story, it can raise more awareness,” Sweeney told Variety. “It’s personal.”

Directed by David Michôd, the film also stars Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, and Katy O'Brian. Sweeney shared her excitement about the project, saying, “I’m so excited for everybody to see Christy Martin.”

Foster, who co-stars alongside Sweeney, revealed that filming the abuse sequences was emotionally intense for both actors, but praised Michôd for ensuring a safe environment on set.

“As we got deeper into the material and closer to shooting, all I could see is this sensitive human,” Foster said. “She felt a great responsibility to represent Christy’s resilience the best she could and bring her own lantern to it — and Syd’s lantern is bright.”

He further described Sweeney as “utterly professional” and “kind,” adding: “There’s always a bit of hoopla around her — positive or negative — but the person I met is grounded, respectful, and remembers everyone’s names. That’s an old-school value system you don’t often see anymore.”

Earlier this year, Sweeney told Vanity Fair that she was deeply inspired by Christy Martin’s story. “I was blown away that her story wasn’t more known globally. It’s one of the most harrowing and inspiring I’ve ever come across,” she said.

To prepare for the physically demanding role, Sweeney underwent intense boxing training and insisted on performing all the fight scenes herself. “Every single fight you see, we are actually punching each other — full force. I always believed that you can’t make it feel real if it’s a stunt double or if it’s faked,” she explained.

With inputs from IANS