Every year at Sundance, the festival offers up a surprise screening and this year it was writer-directorStephen Merchant’sFighting with My Family. The film is based on the experiences of real-life wrestlerPaige, a.k.a.Saraya-Jade Bevis, and the 2012 documentaryThe Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family. As you’ve probably seen in the well-cut trailer, Paige comes from a family of wrestlers and the film does a great job showcasing where she came from and how hard she worked to land a professional contract with the WWE.Florence Pughplays Paige,Nick Frostplays her father,Lena Headeyher mother,Jack Lowdenher brother,Vince Vaughnher WWE trainer, andDwayne Johnsonnot only produced the film, but also plays himself.
Shortly after seeing the film, I sat down with Stephen Merchant, Nick Frost, Jack Lowden, Paige, Lena Headey, and Florence Pugh at the Collider studio at the Kia Supper Suite in Park City. They talked about being at Sundance, how they all got involved in the project, how the film changed in the editing room, Paige’s reaction to the finished film and her early conversations with Dwayne Johnson, how Paige’s dad wantedRay Winstoneto play him in the film, how Stephen likes to work on set and how he always forgets to compliment his actors, how close the film is to what actually happened, and so much more.
I’d also like to take a moment to give special thanks to our Collider Studio partner, the all new2020 Kia Telluride, which was transporting filmmakers to our studio in celebration of the debut of the all new model, Kia’s first eight-passenger SUV that is several inches longer and wider than the brand’s award-winning Sorento.
Libations flowing at the Collider studio and parties were provided byLIFEWTR, Tequila Comisario, Sensi Tuscany Wines, Blue Moon Belgian WhiteandDragonfly Coffee Roasters. Food during the evening parties was provided byGreene St. Kitchen of Palms Casino Resorthelmed by Chef Du CuisineLanny Chin. Brand partners also active during the day-part includemou, a luxury footwear and accessories line, andThe Wild Immersionendorsed by Jane Goodall who was on-site with the world’s first ‘virtual reserve’.
Check out what they had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.Fighting with My Familyopens in limited release February 14thand everywhere February 22nd.
Stephen Merchant, Nick Frost, Jack Lowden, Paige, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh:
Here’s the official synopsis forFighting with My Family:
Fighting with My Family is a heartwarming comedy based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, cut-throat world alone. Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.
