‘It’s really unnerving’: Jessica Watson reacts to Netflix biopic
Jessica Watson has stepped out with the cast of Netflix biopic True Spirit for the pink carpet premiere in Brisbane – delivering her verdict on the film about her inspirational solo sail.
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Jessica Watson was a “puddle of tears” when she watched her record-breaking sailing voyage come to life in new Netflix biopic, True Spirit.
The now 29-years-old stepped out for the world premiere of the Queensland film at Brisbane Powerhouse on Tuesday, joined on the pink carpet by actor Teagan Croft, who portrays her in the film, director Sarah Spillane and cast members Josh Lawson and Todd Lasance.
True Spirit is based on Watson’s inspirational voyage in 2010, becoming the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop around the world at 16.
Watson, who visited the Gold Coast set in 2021 and collaborated with Spillane and Croft, said she first watched a directors’ cut last year and was instantly emotional.
“I was a puddle of tears,” she laughed.
“I really do love that it’s sort of its own thing – it’s not a perfect documentary. There’s layers of emotion and personality that are (Teagan’s) and Sarah’s. Every single person who was a part of creating it has brought something to it as well, so it’s not just that story anymore, which is better.
“There’s parts that are so weird and surreal, because, actually a lot of the lines in the trailer are so powerful for me. I thought, oh my god they got it, they really captured the essence of the inspiration for me.”
“It’s really unnerving.”
A replica of Watson’s famous boat, Ella’s Pink Lady, took pride of place on the extravagant pink carpet, which wrapped around the boat.
The real vessel is housed permanently at the nearby Queensland Maritime Museum, which Watson visited earlier on Tuesday.
The biopic was backed by The Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, pumping around $24 million into the Queensland economy and creating more than 300 jobs for cast, crew and extras.
It will be released on Netflix on February 3.
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