SEATTLE — Upcoming film “Young Woman and the Sea” is about one of the greatest athletes you've never heard of.
The Disney movie is based on the true story of Trudy Ederle who, at age 21, became the first woman to successfully swim the English channel - and she outpaced every man before her.
Ederle also competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, at a time when women were routinely advised against exerting themselves.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer spent a decade working to get the film made. It stars Daisy Ridley as Trudy and Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Trudy’s sister – and biggest supporter – Meg.
Entertainment reporter Kim Holcomb spoke to them about making the movie.
HOLCOMB: "I know it took a long time to get to this point. Why did you stick with this story? Why is this something you knew needed to be made?”
BRUCKHEIMER: “It's really special, it's a special story, a special individual. She was totally forgotten in time. She did an incredible feat. It's triumph over the will. It's all the things we go to movies for."
HOLCOMB: "Please explain to me how you did these open water swims, and what I am missing about the cold. Did you learn to love it?”
RIDLEY: “No. (laughter) No, I mean every time I got out of the water, I never felt more relieved. But also, when I watched the film I'm so proud, and I think we couldn't have faked it."
HOLCOMB: "So when you're smiling underwater, that is true acting?”
RIDLEY: (laughing) “No, because that was actually in a nice pool that was pretty warm."
HOLCOMB: "The word 'ambition' is so often weaponized against women. And I just want to know how you define it in your life."
COBHAM-HERVEY: "Good question.”
RIDLEY: “You're right - it is weirdly weaponized. Ambition to me is, I suppose, unapologetically claiming that you want something, and not worrying - even if you don't get there, not worrying. It's the journey. And you're aiming for a destination, but it's what happens on that journey."
COBHAM-HERVEY: "It is a really interesting word for women, ambition, and I hope that's really changing. I think, like Trudy, [it’s] being able to sometimes dream for a job or a version of your life that you may not have seen or may not be possible yet. Continuing to push against what you've been told you should deserve or not getting stuck by the societal pressures. To me, it would be about being brave enough or bold enough to be really clear about what you desire."
HOLCOMB: "Is it a sports movie, or is it a film about two sisters supporting one another?”
BRUCKHEIMER: “It's a little bit of both. It's really a love story between these two sisters and how they support each other. How one has to fall into convention, the other one breaks the rules. And we love those kind of stories. She's the first one to do it, against all the conventions that said women should be in the kitchen and have babies and not be in the water. She lead the way for all these great female athletes who broke the rules, did what they wanted to do, and set records just like she did. She had the biggest parade ever down 5th Avenue for an athlete, it even stands up today. It's the highest-testing movie I've ever made, and I've made some really big movies. People love this film."
HOLCOMB: "It is wild when you mention, 'women need to stay in the kitchen,' because we are literally still hearing that - we just did, in a commencement speech. I want to take my daughter to this movie, she's an athlete. Is it also important for boys and men to see this film?"
BRUCKHEIMER: “Absolutely. Men tested almost as high as women. Women were 100%, men were 97% so it hits everybody."
HOLCOMB: "Trudy has a sort of 1920's version of a pump-up song (laughter) Is there something you go through when you're getting ready to perform, whether it is on stage or on film?"
RIDLEY: "I mean, I have songs that get me energized and one of them I actually used yesterday, and I use it all the time, is Shawn Mendes, 'No Holding Me Back.'”
HOLCOMB: “How does that go?”
RIDLEY: “Do do do, do do, do do..." (laughing)
HOLCOMB: "It's taken a long time for Trudy and Meg's story to be told, but what do you think modern audiences can take from (what) feels like an antique story?"
RIDLEY: "It's interesting, because we finished filming two years ago and in the last two years, it feels like there's been a lot more progress made than there had been certainly in the years before then. Conversations particularly around women in sports and representation. And I hope that people feel like this was a long time ago. And take comfort in the strides that we have made. And take hope in the strides that can be made."
COBHAM-HERVEY: "There are massive changes that have been made. Like, you can't imagine watching the summer Olympics and seeing people in woolen bathing suits. It's just absurd to think about that. So, it'll be lovely to see that contrast of this film next to the Olympics now and see how women are treated differently."
“Young Woman and the Sea” is rated PG and opens in theaters May 31.
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