People who know what it’s like to pursue something with all of your heart, mind and soul will appreciate the film the most. – Jill Morely

Filmmaker Jill Morely hits hard in the ring and the director’s chair Kat Ricker interviews filmmaker and boxer Jill Morely For WBAN

Fighting It is a new documentary film about four female boxers who use boxing to overcome adversity in their lives. Independent filmmaker and writer Jill Morley has worked on Fighting It for three years, literally over her own sweat and blood. Besides filmmaker, Morely was a subject in the film.

Fighting It focuses on four women – professional boxer Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea, 2007 Golden Gloves winner Susan Merlucci, professional boxer Kimberly Tomes and Morely herself, in her own journey to fight in the 2008 New York Golden Gloves, the biggest amateur boxing tournament in the world.

The film is making the rounds in rough cut screenings right now, and Morely is working on getting it into film festivals and trying to land a cable deal. She plans on releasing a DVD, which will be available at the Fighting It website www.fightingitthemovie.com.

Morley previously directed Stripped, a documentary about female strippers. Morely also wrote Fe-Monologues and True Confessions of a Go-Go Girl.

From the website fightingitthemovie.com -

Fighting It views overcoming adversity, coping with trauma and healing from the past through the lens of boxing. The fact that such healing can take place in what many consider a violent sport is what makes these boxers’ journeys so unique and compelling.

What inspired you to make Fighting It?

Honestly, it was the other women I was training with. I was really inspired by their discipline and their depth of character. I liked how supportive most of them were ; quite the opposite of the catty girlfight stuff that many women are portrayed as being. These women are encouraging athletes who understand that you are not just doing this to be cute. You are on a mission.

How long have you been boxing? What other disciplines has your athletic life included?

I’ve been boxing “to fight” for three years, but took boxing exercise classes on and off for several years. I grew up playing soccer, softball, and tennis and spent a lot of my life supporting my writing and acting as a tennis instructor. Fascinated by martial arts, I took Taekwondo for five years and got a black belt. But, my punches were much better than my kicks. I also studied Muay Thai and Small Circle jujitsu for a bit. Knowing that I wanted to compete in some fight sport, I chose boxing because it’s the one that felt most like “home.”

What separates Fighting It from other women’s boxing documentaries such as Shadowboxers and Boxers?

First, I have to say, I love those films. Fighting It is not really a women’s boxing documentary. I don’t go into the history of women’s boxing or who the big names are in the sport. Fighting It is about four female boxers who use boxing to overcome the adversity in their lives. Whether it be racism, a tough family life, abuse, or dire financial circumstances, the “doing” of the sport for many women builds confidence and reminds them they can conquer their demons. Due to the personal relationships I have with each of the women, they reveal a lot more. In this way, it differs from those other films. Also, it is a personal documentary so you can see the world of boxing through a beginner boxer’s eyes. What is it like to enter the world and compete as an amateur? Then, having this obstacle appear that you didn’t know existed, is what really makes it dramatic.

Why do you love boxing? Why do you box?

I love the aggressive expression in an artful sport. I love that it has been around for centuries and there seems to have been an inherent need for it in all cultures. Personally, I find it is the best way for me to challenge myself and grow as an individual. As a filmmaker, I can’t always work on things when I want to. I need to hire others, wait for feedback, wait to see if I got a grant or admitted into film festivals. As a boxer, I know that today I can just work on my jab.

How has working on Fighting It differed from other productions?

Well, I had to train for my first fight, the NY Golden Gloves, while making a film at the same time, so there was a little stress happening! Also, since my last film, Stripped, I learned how to shoot and edit and met more people in the film industry. Stripped was my film school. Fighting It should be a bit more polished, but not slick. That’s not my style.

What was the biggest challenge in making this film?

The biggest challenge was dealing with the mental and emotional things that came up during my sparring sessions and still making the film. I have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from being hit a lot as my kid. I didn’t think anything of it, but it would throw me into these dissociative states where I’d hyperventilate. It’s hard enough to go through that, but then to document it was sort of crazy! It was interesting to see others’ reactions to what happened when I was sparring as well as my own. I have been lucky in that a lot of things came together as far as the stories went and getting talented people on board to help.

How do you see yourself first, as a filmmaker or boxer? Did that balance shift at all in the making of this film?

I still don’t think of myself as a filmmaker or a boxer! Funny, right? They are things that I do. I wish I could do both of them much better. I’m a Jack of all Trades, master of nothing, but I have been fortunate to experience a ton of things in my life and for this, I am grateful. I was frustrated as both a filmmaker and as a boxer! I also had triumphs in both of these roles.

What was it like to star in your own film?

Basically, I was making the film because I was inspired by the other women. It wasn’t my intention to be the “star.” I wanted my story to be the structure that brought us all together and stay in the background. Some dramatic unexpected things happened during the course of filming that demanded that I take a bigger role. Moving forward, I would not like to be in my own movies. But, I said that last time!!!

Who do you think will appreciate this film the most – boxers, boxing fans, documentary fans, or, or - ?

I am not sure. I think boxing and fight people will be able to relate on a lot of levels. I also have screened the film for feedback and non-boxing females seem to really love it too. They can relate to the personal stories of the women. Some of them even told me that after seeing it, they wanted to box or follow boxing on television. People who know what it’s like to pursue something with all of your heart, mind and soul will appreciate the film the most.

You’re training for the 2010 Golden Gloves. How’s that going?

I want to work on more strong women’s stories and get them out there. I also work with a charitable organization called Knockouts for Girls. We teach little girls boxing to help build their self-esteem, have empowerment classes, and raise money to help underprivileged girls and those in need. It’s a great organization and an awesome way to “give back.” www.ko4g.org

What’s next for you, both as a filmmaker and a boxer? Any other pursuits you want to mention?

Training is going well. I have much less pressure this year since we aren’t filming it! Also, some of my demons that were truly haunting me during sparring have subsided. I still have some issues, of course, but I’ve acquired some decent skills and met amazing trainers who are showing me all kinds of different techniques. It’s fun. I’m just doing it for me. And for the necklace!

Where should folks go to find out more and keep updated on Fighting It?