The second in a series of films for Samsung x CNN, telling stories of inclusivity and accessibility. This one stars the infinitely powerful Reese Scott, a career-changer who became enamored with boxing, then went on to open the first women’s boxing gym in New York City.
Sometimes as a filmmaker, stories come your way at just the right moment, when other parts of your life have been emptied and you need to be filled up by the work. stepping into Reese’s world was that for me. She is not only an ultralight beam of a presence, she is also a humbly imperfect spirit… Someone who was unafraid to update her life plan as she approached middle age. Someone who has shed her ego in order to be a vessel for others’ self-improvement. Someone who is in a constant state of flow, forever evolving into a clearer version of herself.
I was in awe of Reese for most of our time together. I watched her work on four hours sleep, keeping spirits high across classes with Parkinson’s patients, high school boys and her regular women’s group. I watched her open up about her evolution, from hopeful student to trusted teacher, all in the name of giving women a safe space to learn. It’s the first shoot I’ve been on where the crew was brought to tears while filming. Shit, I was brought to tears while watching rough cuts.
I’m thankful to a mighty team, who braved an apocalyptic rainstorm in the middle of the shoot and still showed up to Day 2, some after sleeping in their cars, others in strange hotel rooms. and I’m thankful to Reese, who represents the sport of boxing in ways that remind me why I fell in love with it. Honor, discipline, and dignity, all sharpened through sacrifice. It’s a sport for the strong among us, who are made stronger together.
Director: Dan Buyanovsky
AD: Alysha Pamphile
DP: Sammy Suh
Gaffer: Suki Nojima
Key Grip: Esteban Veras
Steadi Op: Franz Brun
ACs: George Du, Arjun Bajaj
Production Stylist: Amy Auslander
PAs: Edlyn Louis, Rich Buchanan
Covid Officer: David Sweet
Media Manager: Aituar Nugmetullin
Audio: Lauren Banjo
HMU: Lauren Bridges
Trainer: Stacia
Edit/Color: Benjamin New
Sound Mix: Robin Newman
Producers: Matt Cohen, Eric Rhee
Production: Point Seven Labs
Agency: CNN Create
