# I, Tonya

> 2017 film directed by Craig Gillespie

**Wikidata**: [Q28369564](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28369564)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Tonya)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/i-tonya

## Summary
**I, Tonya** is a 2017 biographical black comedy-drama film directed by Craig Gillespie, based on the life of figure skater Tonya Harding. Starring Margot Robbie, who also co-produced the film, it explores Harding's controversial career and personal struggles. The film received critical acclaim and earned several award nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Allison Janney.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: 2017 (premiered December 8, 2017; released in the U.S. on December 29, 2017)
- **Director**: Craig Gillespie
- **Starring**: Margot Robbie (Tonya Harding), Sebastian Stan (Jeff Gillooly), Allison Janney (LaVona Golden)
- **Genre**: Biographical film, black comedy, drama
- **Production Company**: LuckyChap Entertainment, Clubhouse Pictures, Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners
- **Budget**: $12 million
- **Box Office**: $53.9 million
- **Awards**: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Allison Janney), Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress
- **Runtime**: 120 minutes
- **Countries**: United States, United Kingdom
- **Language**: English
- **Music**: Steven Price
- **Cinematography**: Nicolas Karakatsanis
- **Editing**: Tatiana S. Riegel
- **Rating**: R (for pervasive language, violence, and some sexual content/nudity)
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 46 language editions
- **IMDb ID**: tt5580036
- **Wikidata ID**: Q279581
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: no2023063562

## FAQs
**What is *I, Tonya* about?**  
*I, Tonya* dramatizes the life of figure skater Tonya Harding, focusing on her rise to fame, her involvement in the 1994 attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, and her tumultuous personal life.

**Who stars in *I, Tonya*?**  
The film stars Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding, Sebastian Stan as her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and Allison Janney as her abusive mother LaVona Golden. Janney’s performance earned her an Academy Award.

**How was *I, Tonya* received critically and commercially?**  
The film received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its performances, direction, and screenplay. It grossed $53.9 million worldwide against a $12 million budget, making it a commercial success.

**What awards did *I, Tonya* win?**  
Allison Janney won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film also received nominations for Best Actress (Margot Robbie) and Best Original Screenplay.

**How does *I, Tonya* portray Tonya Harding?**  
The film presents a sympathetic yet unflinching portrayal of Harding, highlighting her talent, resilience, and the systemic classism she faced in the figure skating world, while also addressing her controversial actions.

## Why It Matters
*I, Tonya* stands out for its unconventional narrative style, blending dark humor with drama to critique media sensationalism and societal judgment. It revitalized public interest in Tonya Harding’s story, sparking conversations about redemption, class, and gender dynamics in sports. The film’s success underscored Margot Robbie’s versatility as an actress and producer, cementing her status as a leading figure in Hollywood. Its exploration of Harding’s complexities—both as a victim and a flawed individual—resonated with audiences, making it a cultural touchstone for discussions about fame, trauma, and public scrutiny.

## Notable For
- **Academy Award Win**: Allison Janney’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
- **Margot Robbie’s Dual Role**: Starred in and co-produced the film through LuckyChap Entertainment.
- **Unconventional Narrative**: Uses mockumentary-style interviews and breaking-the-fourth-wall techniques.
- **Cultural Impact**: Revived debates about Tonya Harding’s legacy and media portrayal of female athletes.
- **Critical Acclaim**: 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, with praise for performances and direction.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over four times its budget, proving the viability of mid-budget dramas.
- **Historical Context**: Released during the #MeToo movement, amplifying its themes of abuse and resilience.

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Development**: The film was written by Steven Rogers, who interviewed Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly for authenticity.
- **Filming**: Shot in Atlanta, Georgia, over 20 days, with a mix of practical and visual effects to recreate figure skating sequences.
- **Release Strategy**: Premiered at the 2017 AFI Fest, followed by a limited U.S. release on December 8, 2017, expanding nationwide on January 19, 2018.

### Cast and Crew
- **Margot Robbie**: Portrayed Tonya Harding and co-produced the film, leveraging her platform to highlight Harding’s story.
- **Allison Janney**: Delivered a critically acclaimed performance as LaVona Golden, earning universal praise and multiple awards.
- **Craig Gillespie**: Directed the film, balancing dark humor with dramatic intensity to reflect Harding’s turbulent life.

### Themes and Style
- **Narrative Structure**: Uses fictional interviews and direct address to the audience, creating a meta-commentary on media sensationalism.
- **Class and Gender**: Critiques the elitism of figure skating and the media’s exploitation of Harding’s “white trash” image.
- **Abuse and Trauma**: Depicts Harding’s physical and emotional abuse by her mother and husband, framing her actions within a cycle of violence.

### Reception and Legacy
- **Awards Season**: Janney’s Oscar win marked a high point, while Robbie’s nomination solidified her reputation as a serious actress.
- **Cultural Relevance**: The film’s release coincided with the #MeToo movement, resonating with themes of systemic abuse and survival.
- **Historical Impact**: Reinvigorated public discourse about Harding’s case, prompting reevaluations of her role in the 1994 scandal.

### Technical Specifications
- **Music**: Steven Price’s score incorporated 1980s rock and electronic elements, reflecting Harding’s rebellious persona.
- **Cinematography**: Nicolas Karakatsanis used handheld cameras and rapid cuts to emphasize the film’s chaotic tone.
- **Editing**: Tatiana S. Riegel’s work was nominated for an Academy Award, praised for its frenetic pacing and emotional depth.

### Related Entities
- **Tonya Harding**: The film’s subject, whose life story was optioned by Margot Robbie’s production company.
- **Nancy Kerrigan**: Figure skater and victim of the 1994 attack, referenced but not directly portrayed in the film.
- **LuckyChap Entertainment**: Robbie’s production company, which prioritizes female-driven narratives and unconventional storytelling.

### Box Office and Legacy
- **Commercial Performance**: Grossed $53.9 million worldwide, demonstrating the viability of character-driven dramas in modern cinema.
- **Streaming and Home Media**: Released on digital platforms in 2018, maintaining its cultural presence through awards buzz and word-of-mouth.
- **Historical Context**: Part of a wave of 2010s films revisiting 1990s scandals, alongside *The People v. O.J. Simpson* and *The Assassination of Gianni Versace*.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [Sebastian Stan Talks Jeff Gilooly, Mustaches and ‘I, Tonya’. Variety. 2017](https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/scene-stealer-sebastian-stan-i-tonya-1202642443/)
3. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2018)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. The Movie Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. I, Tonya. Rotten Tomatoes
8. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
9. [Source](https://iffr.com/nl/publieksprijs-2018/)
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/how-margot-robbie-nailed-her-landing-i-tonya-1061528)
12. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=itonya.htm)
13. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/i-tonya-2017)
14. Entertainment Identifier Registry
15. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=287365)
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](http://www.cnc.fr/web/fr/rechercher-une-oeuvre/-/visa/148309)
18. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/classificacao-indicativa-divulga-a-lista-de-filmes-que-entram-em-cartaz-nos-cinemas-16)
19. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
20. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/207017/34/207017/1/209.pdf)
21. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=207017)
22. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15807)
23. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=418)
24. Bechdel Test Movie List
25. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/Classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADbTAAA)
26. Danish Film Database
27. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=409328)
28. [Source](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/33B2C542005687FB)
29. Kanopy
30. TheTVDB
31. Trakt.tv
32. FilmVandaag.nl