Checking In with Dana Vespoli: Director and Star of Sweetheart Video’s “Lefty”

Dana Is Undefeated!

AVN Hall of Fame director/performer Dana Vespoli stars in "Lefty," Sweetheart Video/Mile High Media's new compelling boxing drama. Vespoli's boxing and fucking skills are beyond reproach, and this is a solid girl/girl release that is totally worth your time and cash.

What was the process that lead you to create this feature? Have you always been a boxing fan?

"I was already a boxing fan, and had just watched a few documentaries on Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Floyd Mayweather. I was moved by the struggle that each of these fighters had endured growing up, and how getting hit in the ring was nothing compared to what they had gone through living in poverty, subjected to abuse. and fighting to be heard and validated as kids. At the same time, I had watched 'Million Dollar Baby' again, as well as 'Rocky' and 'Southpaw'. I really wanted to create a romantic sports movie, but with women. It’s a great time for women in combat sports, Like Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields and for openly gay women like Amanda Nunes. It just made sense to write one, especially in the lesbian genre."

You have primarily made vignette releases or star showcases for Sweetheart. How did they react when you presented them with the idea of this feature?

"Jon Blitt was very supportive. I had actually come up with the story six months prior to presenting it to him. At the time I was still shooting my own stuff through Evil Angel, but knew that this story would not do well at all as an Evil Angel release. It’s a romantic story, and there is no anal and no gapes. I sat with this story for a while and then finally presented it to Jon. The big question was, how were we going to shoot it? I love a challenge, and it was truly a labor of love. We had to figure out the logistics of a fight sequence and also find boxing gyms that were amenable to adult production."

What made you decide to cast yourself in the lead?

"I think I might be the only Filipino-looking woman in the business who has boxing skills."

How long have you boxed? Did you have extra training for this production?

"I’ve been boxing for a little over a year. I didn’t do any extra training. I’m on a schedule where I do conditioning, technique and sparring on certain days each week, so I just stayed consistent. My coach is amazing. He’s like Yoda. He’s also given me a bloody nose."

Who are your favorite boxers at the moment?

"As for current boxers—I think everyone on twitter knows I’m a huge Gennady Golovkin fan. I am also a big Vasyl Lomachenko fan. I love Pacquiao and Terrence Crawford,and Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, too. I think they will be fighting each other in the new year. As for past fighters I love Prince Nasim Hamed and Pernell Whitaker, Mike Tyson and of course Ali."

Do you box competitively? What do you think is sexy about the sport?

"I can’t box competitively as long as I’m still performing. There have been times sparring where I’ve gotten bruised even through my protective head gear, and I can’t afford to get my nose broken right now, but I love sparring so much. Maybe in the new year. I can’t think of anything that isn’t sexy about the sport. It’s incredibly intimate. When you’re trading shots it’s a dance, and you’re so close to the person you’re fighting, moving with them. It’s a lot like love."

Did any particular fighters inspire your performance in "Lefty"?

"Mike Tyson’s relationship with his coach, Cus D’amato, and Manny Pacquiao who is a southpaw like Lefty and also Filipino."

Bree Daniels seems to be a casting favorite of yours. What do you think she brought to the role of the investigative journalist seeking out answers about your character and her choices?

"Bree has been my muse so many times over. I love her. She is always so committed to her characters, and Jesus Christ is she photogenic. I wrote that character with her in mind. As I was imagining the story, I saw her as that character immediately."

What boxing movies are your favorites?

"'Chasing Tyson', which is a documentary. Obviously 'Rocky', and 'Raging Bull'. I also really liked 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Southpaw'.”

Do you have a favorite scene in "Lefty"?

"I love the opening, when Lefty is in her zone getting her hands wrapped and the athletic commission official signs off on her wraps. You get to meet most of the characters then, and then the walkout happens. I was just really proud of that scene because I did not know how in the fuck we could believably shoot a walkout. Have you ever watched the big fighters walk out with their entourage? It’s insane. Thousands of people at Madison Square Garden and everyone is screaming. I stayed up nights trying to figure out the opening of the movie, and I think we did OK."

James Avalon has a great cameo performance in this as Lefty's coach. What did you enjoy most about directing and performing him?

"OK, James showed up with the best outfits for his character. He totally got his character. I didn’t have to direct him at all. I loved being able to act alongside him. I secretly think that James Avalon was Jon Blitt’s most favorite thing about the movie. ;)"

Porn stars are fighters and fighters are athletes who use their bodies and minds in demanding ways. Do you think that this comes through in your feature? Does it manifest in how you frame the relationship and chemistry that Lefty has with Alexis Texas?

"Yes. This is why Alexis plays herself in the movie. Lefty is attracted to Alexis and they bond over similarities in their work and in being public figures. They both use their bodies for public consumption—Alexis in her movies and Lefty in the ring."

Thanks for your time. Is there anything you would like to say for your fans here at Fleshbot?

"Thank you for watching my movies!"

All of the images and video appears here courtesy of Sweetheart Video/Mile High Media. Be sure to keep up with Vespoli's latest and greatest by following her on Twitter and click right here to go watch "Lefty" right now!

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