Kingdom Story’s newest release, Sarah’s Oil, is a lesson in absolute resolve when
fueled by trust in God’s will. Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and co-written with Betsey
Giffen Nowrasteh, the film is a true story based on the book Searching for Sarah Rector:
The Richest Black Girl in America by Tonya Bolden.
There is something to be said of Jesus’ statement about children whose “angels
continually see the face of my Father in heaven” (Mt 18:10). When a story of heroic
faith, especially of a child, lights up the big screen it inspires the viewer to consider his
or her own level of trust in God. Faced with numerous difficulties, Sarah (believably
portrayed by Naya Desir-Johnson) turned to the One who is bigger than any problem
and exhibited the peace and serenity of a child who knows that God will take care of
her.
The film tells the story of how, in the early 1900’s in Oklahoma Indian territory, a land
grant was given to black descendants of the post-Civil War Muscogee Creek
Indian Nation based on the agreements in the Treaty of 1866 with the United States.
Sarah, a girl of 11, was given 160 acres of infertile land. However, she believed God
gave her the land for a reason. She tells her mother, Rose (Sonequa Martin-Green), “I
heard the oil, there’s oceans down there.” When her mother shows disbelief, Sarah
responds, “God gave me ears to hear it, Mama.”
Her father, Joe Rector (Kenric Green), didn’t believe her either, but helped her find an oil company who would invest in the land by setting up drilling equipment. Oil magnate, Mister Devnan (Garret Dillahunt) told Sarah that no oil was on her land. Convinced otherwise, she sets out to find a partner to help her access the oil. No one wanted to listen to a young girl, until she met Bert Smith (Zachary Levi), a rudderless adventurer seeking financial prospects in the oil industry. Bert sees that the oil company left all the equipment and so uses it to drill. Bert and Sarah’s family wonder if the oil company knows something more than they’re telling. When they show up to buy the land, Sarah remains steadfast that it is her land, setting the oil company’s owner in a rage.
The danger that ensues because of racial injustice puts Sarah and her family at extreme
risk. A series of terrifying incidences of Native American children killed over land
disputes brings Sarah’s situation to the forefront. A black journalist and civil rights
attorney get involved in her cause. When brought to court, Sarah remains resolute in
her defense after her mother encourages her, “God will give you the words.” The law
was that a white man was set up as a guardian over any black person who owned land.
Bert took on guardianship of Sarah’s land. However, not everyone has as pure motives
as Sarah.
Sarah believed that God had a plan for her, enabling her to persevere even in the
darkest of moments. God gives the gifts for each to use in the measure they’ve been
given. Sarah believed in her gift, and she not only became the richest black girl in the
world but also an example of one who trusted when all seemed lost.
You won’t want to miss this inspiring and faith-filled movie that will prove to be a family
favorite.