(The Lion) — A star in the new faith-based film Sarah’s Oil says the story spotlights God’s love and provision through a largely forgotten chapter of American history.
The movie, which was released in theaters over the weekend, follows the inspiring true story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old African American girl who was allotted 160 acres of supposedly worthless land in early-1900s Oklahoma but faced intimidation and racism when oil was discovered deep beneath the surface.
Sarah had received the land due to her status as a descendant of Creek Nation Freedmen under a post-Civil War treaty – but soon learned her skin color put her at a disadvantage in a Jim Crow state.
In the film, she finds courage and resolve from her strong Christian faith.
Actor Zachary Levi (Shazam!, American Underdog) portrays a white oil speculator named Bert who befriends Sarah and helps her navigate the dangers that follow.
“Truth is stranger than fiction,” Levi said of the story while expressing surprise that Sarah’s story is not widely known. She became one of the first black millionaires in America.
“When you have the opportunity to tell an important story, a story of inspiration, where people can leave that theater and they feel inspired to go live a better life, to trust more in their Creator, to have deeper faith, to have deeper perseverance and strength, to build deeper trust with people that are different than you – you say yes,” Levi told the BEAUTYFULL People YouTube channel.
Two studios with a history of faith-based hits produced Sarah’s Oil: Wonder Project, which is best known for House of David, and Kingdom Story Company, which was the company behind Jesus Revolution, I Can Only Imagine and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
The film depicts Sarah as living near a segregated Oklahoma town with restaurants that prohibit her from dining and businesses that turn her away. Although Sarah’s land holds oil, she needs a partner to drill it – and hopes to share in the profits.
Levi’s character serves as an intermediary between Sarah and the town’s leading oil company, which at first is skeptical of her oil claims but then – later – tries to take her land by force. The company’s owner even hires hitmen to kill her.
Through it all, Sarah remains resolute. God – she tells her mom – “gave me that land for a reason.” She even believes she can hear the oil churning beneath the surface.
Levi describes the film’s lead character as an “inspiring, faith-filled person.”
“This really is a movie that’s about a young girl’s faith that surpasses all understanding,” Levi said.
Even Sarah’s own family questions whether the land holds oil. Soon, though, her mother and father come around.
“For her to become the richest woman in America, and for no one to know that story, and for her to move her family to Kansas City with that wealth, and to give them a better life – I think that’s just a testament to God and God’s love for us and provision for us,” Levi said.
Sarah’s Oil is rated PG for thematic content, some violence, language including racial slurs, a suggestive reference and brief smoking.
