May is officially here and with it comesa host of exciting new filmsleading up to the summer months. One such project debuting at the end of the month isYoung Woman and the Sea, which tells the true story of the trailblazing first woman to swim the English Channel, Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle. With advance tickets on sale now to see the inspirational tale unfold on the big screen, Disney unveiled a new sneak peek that explores her real-life accomplishment and her impact on the landscape of women’s sports with the help of the film’s starDaisy Ridleyand other members of the cast and crew.
The featurette sets the scene for Ederle’s story, which was largely lost to time despite its historical significance. Set in the 1920s, the film from directorJoachim Rønningtracks her meteoric riseamong the ranks of the Olympic swim team, racking up no shortage of medals and records along her way to the top. It wasn’t without adversity, however, as Ridley discusses how Ederle faced sexism, including from her own father, during a time when society was aggressively patriarchal. Yet, through putting in effort and displaying remarkable bravery in the face of those who would try to hold her down, she’d accomplish feats that the vast majority of male athletes couldn’t dream of. Ridley also touches on how Ederle came to realize that her many trophies, records, and, eventually,the treacherous 21-mile swim across the ocean, meant as much if not more to the people cheering her on than they did to her.
Based onGlenn Stout’s bookYoung Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World, the film is ultimately a very joyful one, Ridley says, thanks to Ederle’s triumphs. Although her father was less than supportive, her mother and sister play important roles in her story alongside trainers like fellow English Channel conquerorBill Burgess(Stephen Graham) who prepared her for the rough waters ahead. ProducerJerry Bruckheimercalled Ederle’s tale"the ultimate underdog story" for how it tackles the idea of making the impossible possible despite the objections of many.
Who Else Is Aboard the Team Behind ‘Young Woman and the Sea’?
Jeff Nathansonpenned the screenplay forYoung Girl in the Seain his most recent collaboration with the House of Mouse after previously earning writing credits onIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and thelive-actionLion King. He’s also previously worked withStephen Spielbergas one of the writers attached toCatch Me If You Can. The rest of the cast is fleshed out withTilda Cobhman-Herveyplaying Ederle’s supportive sister,Margaret “Meg” Ederle, whileJeanette HainandChristopher Ecclestonalso star.
Young Woman and the Seaarrives in theaters across the U.S. on May 31in a special engagement. Check out the new sneak peek below.
Young Woman and the Sea
Charting the true story of a pioneering female swimmer who sets out to conquer the English Channel, a feat dominated by men in the early 20th century. Her grueling preparation and the swim itself test her physical and emotional limits, challenging societal expectations and changing perceptions of women in sports.
