Is Netflix's 'True Spirit' based on a true story?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Making a movie on a true story is always tricky because there should be a proper balance between reality and fiction. On the other hand, people associated with the story might take offense if their account is shown in a malicious way. However, such movies are also inspiring because they give you a perspective about how a person defied all odds and achieved what he or she wanted to. Netflix is known for tackling such riveting stories on its platform and is set to take viewers on an enthralling journey with the latest movie ‘True Spirit’.
The upcoming movie primarily focuses on a 16-year-old girl named Jessica Watson who plans to become the youngest sailor to have traveled the world alone. Everyone around her is telling her not to do it because it can prove to be really dangerous. However, the young girl is adamant about doing it as she wants to fulfill her dreams. The journey won’t be easy and she would have to face her greatest fears to complete her voyage.
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This inspiring journey is actually based on the book of the same name that was released in 2010 and as soon as the streaming platform released its first look, everyone had only one question in mind: Is ‘True Spirit’ based on a true story?’ Well, let’s find out if the upcoming Netflix film is a real story or not.
Is ‘True Story’ based on a true story?
Yes, the upcoming Netflix movie is based on the story of Jessica Watson and her worldwide expedition. Watson always wanted to sail around the world and her mother played an important role in igniting the fire in her. Watson was only 11 years old when she and her entire family were living on the boat. At the time, her mother used to read Jesse Martin’s book ‘Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit’ to the children as a bedtime story. This led to Watson forming an ambition to sail around the world.
Over the next four years, she completed 6000 coastal miles and 6000 ocean miles of sailing experience. On October 18, 2009, Watson sailed out of Sydney Harbour in her boar named ‘Elsa’s Pink Lady’. The sailor passed near New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Cape Horn (Chile), Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia), and South East Cape (Tasmania) during her journey. The sail also saw her entering and crossing oceans such as the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean.
She completed her journey in 210 days and entered Sydney harbor on May 15, 2010.
A lot of people claimed that Watson was the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world when she completed her journey. However, a website named Sail World Website, noted that Watson, who was 16 years old at the time, failed to cover the distance required to meet strict criteria in relation to the circumnavigation of the globe. On the other hand, it has been widely reported that Sail World does not recognize sails by under-18s and that’s the reason why it never acknowledged Watson’s accomplishments.
Nevertheless, Watson is a national hero and was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year. Meanwhile, in 2012, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Who is playing Jessica Watson in ‘True Spirit’?
Australian actress Teagan Croft will be seen playing the role of Jessica Watson in the movie. Croft is known for portraying the character of Raven in the DC series ‘Titans’.
‘True Spirit’ will be available for streaming on Netflix on Friday, February 3.