Can a teenager beat the odds and make an improbable dream come true? Jessica Watson was just 16 years old when she attempted a groundbreaking sailing record. Netflix’s “True Spirit” explores the young adventurer’s story and the adults in her life who helped her; namely among them are Watson’s parents, played by Josh Lawson and Anna Paquin.
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In a recent interview, Paquin said she sees “Spirit” as an opportunity to bring quality kid-friendly content to audiences. “But having sat through some… less than stellar content for kids, projects like ‘True Spirit’ are very exciting to me creatively,” Paquin told EW. “I’m excited that I can share this with my kids… and I really feel like this is a story that will connect to and inspire anyone who sees it.”
Sarah Spillane directs this dramatic telling of Watson’s story. The filmmaker — best known for 2013’s “Around the Block” — co-wrote the screenplay with Rebecca Banner and Cathy Randall.
The film’s official synopsis:
When the tenacious young sailor Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft) sets out to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world, many expect her to fail. With the support of her sailing coach and mentor Ben Bryant (Cliff Curtis) and her parents (Josh Lawson and Academy Award winner Anna Paquin), Jessica is determined to accomplish what was thought to be impossible, navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of ocean over the course of 210 days.”
An inspiring tale of fearlessness and adventure unfolds in “True Spirit.” The Netflix film arrives on the streaming service on February 3. Get your first look at the trailer below: