Beck Rawlings says his journey into mixed martial arts was bittersweet.
She credits the sport with helping her escape a “tough childhood,” but it was her ex-husband who introduced her to the sport.
She is currently divorced from her husband and claims that during their marriage he physically abused her and also threatened to harm her children.
Ms. Rawlings' film “We Live to Fight'' is currently showing in cinemas and has just been screened in her hometown of Launceston.
The film chronicles her journey as a domestic violence survivor while also looking at the day-to-day challenges of becoming a professional fighter.
A life-changing
It begins by looking into Bec Rawlings's childhood life in Launceston and catching up with her close relatives who still live there.
Near the beginning of the film, Beck Rawlings' mother, Mary Rawlings, sits at the kitchen table and reflects on her daughter's childhood.
“She was a sassy girl,” she says, “who liked to do boyish things, didn't style her hair, and wore funny clothes.”
“I looked at her and I thought, 'This girl is going to be a problem.'”
A few more minutes pass and Rawlings' sister, Jackie, offers an even more blunt assessment of her sister.
“If she had continued the way she is now, she would have gone to prison.”
A story within a story
As the film progresses, Rawlings' fighting ability and her professional journey quickly become clear.
However, the main message of Fight to Live remains the issue of domestic violence and how it can affect anyone.
“This documentary really touches on the emotional and physical aspects of domestic violence,” she told ABC Radio Northern Tasmania Drive.
“It can happen to anyone…Domestic violence does not discriminate.”
“I'm a professional fighter and it happened to me. Even if you can defend yourself, it doesn't mean you can and will.”
Rawlings hopes that by sharing her personal experience with domestic violence on screen, she will inspire others to speak up.
“There is hope for anyone in a similar situation, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
“I hope this work will also educate young people so that they can recognize the harmful traits and red flags when they find themselves in such relationships, and get out of them before it's too late. .”
Cannes Film Festival Winners
Director Tom Haramis spent about three years filming the documentary, juggling Rawlings' match and training schedule with the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he now considers Bec Rawlings a close friend and is in awe of her courage.
“She's a wonderful human being,” he said.
“We connected on every level, and I think that made telling her story even more meaningful to me,” he told ABC.
Haramis is now hoping to get the film onto major streaming services after a small cinema tour around the country.
“Fight to Live'' recently won the Best Emotional Film Award at last year's Cannes Film Festival in France.
“The film has universal themes and definitely needs to be recognised on a global stage,” he said.
“Winning this award is a validation for us and shows us that the film needs to go further.”
Bring it Home
Winning the award in France was huge, but it wasn't as nerve-wracking as screening the film for friends and family at Launceston's iconic Star Theatre.
The screening was sold out and ended with a Q&A with Rawlings.
“It warmed my heart to see the people of Launceston come out to support us,” she said.
“It's very sad to say that some people in that audience have experienced something similar.” [to what happened to me].
“I think this really illustrates the problem of domestic violence in Australia.”
In addition to the screenings, Rawlings is planning his next professional bare-knuckle fight and hopes to announce a date for the fight soon.
The 35-year-old has a busy life in Brisbane with her new partner and two children. In her film, she portrays her life as “pretty normal” aside from her typical work day.
“We don't put on suits and go to the office,” she said.
“We'll put on our gym gear and go punch people in the face.”
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