Front Row

Sydney Sweeney and Pasolini

Nov 25, 2025
Sydney Sweeney, an American actress celebrated for her roles, shares insights on portraying boxer Christy Martin in her upcoming biopic. She discusses her intense preparation, including physical transformations and emotional challenges in depicting sensitive themes. Joining her, film expert Adrian Wootton explores Pier Paolo Pasolini's radical film legacy, particularly Salo, while author Olivia Laing dives into its haunting context and impact. Together, they unravel the complexities of representation in film and the lasting significance of Pasolini's work.
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ANECDOTE

On-Set Bond With The Real Christy Martin

  • Sydney Sweeney trained with Christy Martin and sparred with her during prep, with Martin also consulting on set and attending filming.
  • The crew applauded and cried when Christy visited after intense scenes, showing the emotional weight of reenacting her life.
ADVICE

Prioritise Authenticity In Fight Scenes

  • Sweeney insisted on real, connected fighting and worked to avoid chopped, edited hits that break the scene's emotional core.
  • She memorised Christy's exact fight combinations and preferred real contact to keep the ring scenes authentic.
ANECDOTE

Recreating The Layla Ali Fight

  • The movie recreated Christy's real bout with Layla Ali, including identical combinations and full-contact moments.
  • Sweeney and co-fighters accepted concussions and broken noses to maintain realism, reflecting the physical cost of authentic portrayals.
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