YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA Director Told This True Story for His Daughters
By Movieguide® Contributor
Growing up by the sea, director Joachim Rønning fell in love with water and has committed his professional career to bringing the ocean’s greatest stories to life.
“I’m relaxed on the water,” Rønning told Deadline. “There’s something so rewarding about being out there — the beauty and danger of it, the emotions of it. It has everything I’m looking for in a story.”
YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA, however, had even more of a draw for Rønning because he found it to be an inspiring story and was shocked nobody, including himself, knew it. Furthermore, its beautifully done screen adaptation made it an easy project to get on board with.
“I’m very moved by true stories, and I was baffled that I didn’t know this story because it was a worldwide event when it happened 100 years ago,” he said. “Trudy inspired the biggest parade in New York history, and, in many ways, she changed women’s sports forever.”
The movie stars Daisy Ridley as Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, an “accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905.”
“Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement — a 21-mile trek from France to England,” a synopsis reads.
“I almost felt an obligation to retell her story and to bring her back into the light for the world,” Rønning added. “At the same time, I have two teenage daughters so I’ve been looking for a story for them — an inspirational story about something they can relate to and be inspired by. It felt like we had a great responsibility to get her story out to the daughters of the world.”
In the end, Rønning created a movie that is as inspiring as he hoped. The story teaches the audience that anyone can make a difference, regardless of their background, if they put their mind to it. A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA is one of the best movies in a long time. It’s extremely well plotted, superbly directed and beautifully acted, with a rich musical score. YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA has a strong morally uplifting worldview with strong Christian, biblical references and values celebrating courage, forgiveness, loyalty, and fortitude. It also has references to prayer, church and the Hand of God. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children because of intense swimming scenes.
YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA is now available to stream on Disney+.
READ MORE: YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA DIRECTOR CALLS DAISY RIDLEY A ‘FORCE OF NATURE’
