By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
UNEARTHING A LEGACY: THE REMARKABLE AND TRUE STORY BEHIND "SARAH'S OIL"
Naya Desir-Johnson isn't a household name yet. But with her star turn in the 2023 movie "A Thousand and One," TV's "Pose," and "The Equalizer," and now the critically acclaimed biopic
"Sarah's Oil," that's likely to change.
The young and talented actress commands the screen in this riveting drama, directed, co-produced, and co-written by
Cyrus and Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh ("The Rescue"). Inspired by
Tonya Bolden's 2014 book "Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America," the film brings a remarkable true story to life with style and grace.
Sarah Rector was no ordinary 11-year-old girl. Bright, curious, and wise beyond her years, she carried herself with a confidence that set her apart. Her parents, Rose (Sonequa Martin-Green, TV' s "Boston Blue") and Joe (Kenric Green, "The Walking Dead"), worked hard to raise Sarah and her younger brother, Junior (Adyan Copes, TV's "Saturday Night Live"), with strong values and an unshakable sense of self-worth.
The Rectors were part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and under the Dawes Allotment Act, Sarah was granted 160 acres of land in Glenpool, Oklahoma, in 1913. It was territory initially considered barren and unsuitable for farming. But where others saw worthless soil, Sarah sensed something deeper.
Guided by intuition and a spark of faith in her family's future, she believed the land might hold a secret that could change everything. Her instincts proved right when she crossed paths with oilmen and wildcatters Bert and Mace, played by Zachary Levi ("Shazam! Fury of the Gods") and Mel Rodriguez (TV's "The Residence").
Their partnership with the young girl was as unexpected as it was transformative. In a time when racial divides ran deep, their alliance stood out as a rare act of trust and decency. Together, they uncovered signs that the land might be sitting atop a vast oil reserve, but their discovery drew the attention of men far less noble.
Enter Garrett Dillahunt (TV's "Hightown") as the ruthless oil baron Devnan and his scheming henchmen, who conspire to cheat Sarah and her family out of their newfound fortune.
What follows is a tense and emotionally charged battle, where Sarah must rely on her courage and the unlikely bond, she formed with Bert to confront systemic racism and corporate greed head-on. With the help of a prominent attorney, the trio fights to ensure that justice prevails and that Sarah's rights and her future remain her own.
Director Cyrus Nowrasteh crafts these moments with striking sensitivity, blending historical realism with heartfelt drama. What could have been a simple underdog tale becomes a nuanced portrait of resilience and moral courage.
Thanks to a standout performance by Naya Desir-Johnson, "Sarah's Oil" never loses its emotional core. It's a powerful story of perseverance, justice, and the triumph of spirit over circumstance.
Once everything was signed and finally settled, Sarah began to earn a lucrative income from oil royalties, which made her one of the wealthiest Black girls in the country by age 12. When she turned 18, she had $1 million.
Her family later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Sarah lived until 1967, when she died from a stroke at age 65.
"Sarah's Oil" is a testament to the unbreakable will of a young Black girl who changed history. Now that's truly Black Girl Magic.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"SARAH'S OIL"
