|
"SOUL SURFER made my heart swell with emotion ... I left the theater reminded again that anything was possible with God. Amazing ... Amazing ... Amazing!!" - Karen Kingsbury, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Soul Surfer is a powerful, encouraging, and poignant story that brings tears to the eye and joy to the heart." - MOVIEGUIDE
More About the Soul Surfer Movie:
SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer
Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously
overcame all odds to become a champion again, inspiring millions
worldwide through the love of her family, her sheer determination, and
her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. The film features an all-star
cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in
her film debut, and Dennis Quaid.
Bethany (played by AnnaSophia Robb) was born to surf. A natural
talent who took to the waves at a young age, she was leading an idyllic,
sun-drenched, surfer girl's life on the Kauai Coast, competing in
national competitions with her best friend Alana (Lorraine Nicholson),
when everything changed in a heartbeat. On Halloween morning, Bethany
was on a typical ocean outing when a 14-foot tiger shark came out of
nowhere and seemed to shatter all her dreams.
In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly
her life, Bethany's feisty determination and steadfast faith spur her
toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss
into a gift for others.
SOUL SURFER reveals the moving aftermath of this
headline-making story, as Bethany fights to recover and grapples with
the future. Strengthened by the love of her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid)
and Cheri (Helen Hunt), she refuses to give in or give up, and begins a
bold return to the water. Still, the questions keep hammering her: Why
did this happen? Why did she have to lose everything? Will she ever
feel the joy and power of riding the waves again? And if she can't be a
surfer, then who is she?
The devastating 2004 tsunami in the Pacific Ocean unexpectedly gives
Bethany a new perspective. Traveling to Phuket, Thailand with her
youth-group leader Sara Hill (Carrie Underwood), she witnesses life
beyond her own shoreline and discovers her greater purpose-she can make a
difference in the lives of others. Filled with a new sense of hope and
direction, she returns home with a renewed resolve to conquer her own
limitations and set an encouraging example for people facing adversity.
At the National Championships, Bethany bravely faces off with her
fiercest rival, Malia Birch (Sonya Balmores), and takes her astonishing
one-armed surfing technique to the limit. But as the horn blows, and
the suspenseful competition kicks off, Bethany is no longer thinking
about the challenges of her body. Now, her surfing, her biggest dreams
and her life have become about pushing her own physical limits to touch
the souls of others.
Directed by Sean McNamara, the screenplay was by McNamara, Deborah Schwartz. Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk. SOUL SURFER
is based on the book by Bethany Hamilton, Sheryl Berk and Rick
Bundschuh. The screen story by Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas
Schwartz, Michael Berk, Matt R. Allen, Caleb Wilson and Brad Gann.
Who Is Bethany Hamilton? Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions
through her story of faith, determination, and hope. And now, her story
has become a major motion picture as SOUL SURFER opens in theaters across the nation on April 8. SOUL SURFER features an all-star cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid.
Born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of
Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany began surfing at a young age. At the age of
eight, Bethany entered her first surf competition—winning both the short
and long board divisions and sparking a love for surf competition
within her spirit.
On October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark
while surfing off Kauai's North Shore. The attack took Bethany's left
arm, seemingly ending her career as a rising surf star just as it was
beginning. Bethany says:
"It was Jesus Christ who gave me peace when I was
attacked by the shark. They had to get me to the beach, which took 20
minutes of paddling. 'The peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'
(Philippians 4:6-8)."
After losing more than 60 percent of her blood, and making it through
several surgeries without infection, Bethany was on her way to recovery
with an unbelievably positive attitude. Lifeguards and doctors believe
her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the
traumatic ordeal. Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Bethany
returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a
professional surfer.
"It was what God had taught me growing up that
helped me overcome my fear and get back on the board. 'Be strong and
courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9)."
In January of 2004, Bethany made her return to surf competition,
placing fifth in the Open Women's division. With no intention of
stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition. Just over
a year after the attack she took first place in the Explorer Women's
division of the 2005 National Scholastic Surfers Association National
Championships—winning her first National Title.
In 2007, Bethany realized her dream and turned pro. Bethany has since
participated in numerous Association of Surfing Professionals and World
Tour Events with her major highlight being a second place finish in the
ASP 2009 World Junior Championships.
Since losing her arm, Bethany's story has been told in hundreds of
media outlets and she has been recognized with numerous awards, public
appearances, and various speaking engagements. In October 2004, Bethany
shared her life story in her autobiography, Soul Surfer. Other books Bethany has written include Devotions for the Soul Surfer, Rise Above, A "Soul Surfer" Bible, Ask Bethany, and a fictional series of books based on her adventures: Clash, Burned, Storm, and Crunch. Bethany was the inspiration for Becky Baumgartner's 2007 documentary, Heart of a Soul Surfer.
From a young age, Bethany's parents instilled their faith in Jesus
Christ; and at age 5, she made the decision to have a personal
relationship with Him. Bethany's foundation of faith has been her
backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength. Out of the water,
Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming
a professional surfer into a professional surfer with aspirations of
becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of
professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of
people with her message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Bethany
just launched her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports
shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others
through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable
efforts.
"My youth leader, Sarah Hill, has been a really
good support and encourager for me. God gave her a verse for me the day I
was attacked: '"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the
LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future''' (Jeremiah 29:11)."
Bethany's story is continually growing as she strives to be the best
at whatever God calls her to do. The future is truly wide open for this
young soul surfer!
"What great things God is doing! I am so thankful
that I get to be a part of His plan! 'I thank Jesus Christ our Lord, who
has given me strength, that He considered me faithful appointing me to
His service' (1 Timothy 1:12). To me, this verse tells me that God
considered me faithful enough to appoint me to His service!"
Bethany Hamilton's Quotes: - My strength came from my relationship with Christ and from the love and encouragement of my family and friends.
- I believe in God. I don't mean that I believe in Him like a person
might believe in, say, gravity or the sun coming up in the morning.
Those are just facts that don't mean anything. I mean I REALLY believe
in God.
- I don't pretend to have all the answers to why bad things happen to
good people, but I do know that God knows all those answers, and
sometimes He lets you know in this life...
- I don't know what other girls do before they go out in a heat, but
for me the routine is pretty simple: I pray. I pray for safety for
everyone and I pray for wisdom in my wave selection and ability to be at
the right place at the right time.
- The paramedic whispered in my ear "God will never leave you or forsake you."
- God did have something bigger planned for me. What we all needed to do was trust... and believe.
- I have this thought every second of my life—Why me? Not negatively,
like Why did this terrible thing happen to me? But more like "Why did
God choose me and what does He have in mind for me?"
- When people ask me what my faith in Christ means to me, I usually
answer in just one word—everything! This was true before and after the
shark attack.
- I see that God is able to use my story to help others. Once a girl
came up and told me that she had had cancer. When she learned my story
it made her realize that she didn't need to give up.
- It's hard for me to describe the joy I felt after I stood up and
rode wave in for the first time after the attack. I was incredibly
thankful and happy inside. The tiny bit of doubt that would sometimes
tell me you'll never surf again was gone in one wave.
- I think that if I can help other people find hope in God, then that is worth losing my arm for.
- My friend Sarah says that I get to be the voice of God. I usually
roll my eyes when she says it, because if I were God, I would never have
chosen me of all people to speak for him.
Quotes taken from Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton
|
