Young Woman and the Sea First Look: See Daisy Ridley Become a Trailblazing Swimmer (Exclusive)

Daisy Ridley channels an inspiring true story Young woman and the sea.

Based on the 2022 book A young woman and the sea: How Trudy Ederle conquered La Mancha and inspired the world Glenn Stout, in the new film Ridley plays Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel.

PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the film, with photos showing Ridley in character and behind the scenes.

“The most surprising thing about this story is how few people know what Trudy did,” Ridley, 31, said in a statement. “What she achieved was not only a personal achievement, but a milestone for women in sport.”

“I’m excited for people to see this film in all its beauty and experience this journey, with all its hardships and hope and ultimately joy,” Star Wars adds the actress.

Daisy Ridley says she kept the lightsaber and the ring Star Wars: ‘They are in a safe place’ (Exclusive)

“Young woman and the sea”.

Elena Nenkova/Disney Enterprises

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Young woman and the sea”.

Elena Nenkova/Disney Enterprises

Ederle was “born to immigrant parents in New York in 1905,” according to the synopsis.

“With the unwavering support of her older sister and a supportive coach, she overcame adversity and the hostility of a patriarchal society to rise on the Olympic swimming team and complete a stunning feat: the 21-mile course from France to England.”

“Young woman and the sea”.

Elena Nenkova/Disney Enterprises

The cast also includes Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Christopher Eccleston and Glenn Fleshler.

Director Joachim Rønning (2019 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, in 2012 Nominated for an Oscar Kon-Tiki) says he “fell in love” with Ederle’s story “the moment I read Jeff Nathanson’s beautiful script.”

“Young woman and the sea”.

Elena Nenkova/Disney Enterprises

“As a father of two teenage daughters, I really wanted to make a film that would resonate with them, about a girl who changed the world,” says Rønning.

Rønning says that in order to increase the realism of the film, “he didn’t want blue screens and computer-generated images.”

Joachim Rønning/Disney Enterprises

Daisy Ridley says she had to do ‘the first two Star Wars Movies to make you feel worthy of being in a franchise

Joachim Rønning/Disney Enterprises

“I wanted to be in the elements, like the old school of filmmaking. It’s a challenging way of filming, but I believe the audience will be able to feel the commitment of the cast and crew,” adds the director.

Of her co-star, Rønning raves about Ridley, “In addition to being an amazing actress, she proved her skills and dedication every day, swimming in 60-degree water until her lips turned blue.”

Joachim Rønning/Disney Enterprises

“Very few actors could do what she did – male or female,” he adds.

Young woman and the sea is in selected theaters from May 31.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education