Daisy Ridley Had A Physical Reason For Doing Her Own Swimming In The Young Woman And The Sea, But It Created Technical Problems For The Filmmakers

Daisy Ridley Had A Physical Reason For Doing Her Own Swimming In The Young Woman And The Sea, But It Created Technical Problems For The Filmmakers

As a huge fan of Daisy Ridley’s acting abilities, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that she went above and beyond for her role as Trudy Ederle in “The Young Woman and the Sea.” Not only did she give a powerful performance on land, but she also bravely took on the challenge of doing most of her own swimming for the film.


I was thrilled to see Daisy Ridley take on the role of Trudy Ederle, the groundbreaking first woman to swim the English Channel, in “The Young Woman and the Sea.” With this historic feat came long hours spent in the water for Ridley. However, it turned out that her presence in the film was more extensive than anticipated, causing some challenges for the production team.

After hitting theaters, Disney’s latest production, “The Young Woman and the Sea” with Daisy Ridley in the lead role, is now available on Disney+ starting today. The movie showcases a remarkable acting prowess from Ridley, and director Joachim Rønning shared some insights during our press conference for the streaming release. Although he employed body doubles for Ridley, her distinctive swimming skills made it challenging for him to substitute anyone else in most scenes. He elaborated…

As a big fan of the production process behind stunning underwater scenes, I’ve made extensive use of swimming stand-ins and doubles to capture the perfect camera angles. However, I soon discovered that no one could replicate Daisy’s unique swimming style. Her strokes were so powerful and forceful that I felt compelled to use her, even for wide shots where her face wasn’t visible – she was face down in the water most of the time! Following a character submerged in water presented yet another intriguing challenge, but I embraced it with excitement, knowing the results would be worth it.

Daisy Ridley’s strong swimming performances likely enhanced the on-screen impact of the swimming sequences. However, since her swimming style is unique, it would be challenging to use body doubles for filming, as the difference in swimming techniques might become noticeable from one shot to another.

Filming presented a challenge due to a character whose face remained hidden during pivotal scenes of the narrative. This complicates matters further when the actor in question drifts away from the cameras. In the production of “The Young Woman and the Sea“, this issue was amplified as filming took place on open water. Consequently, boats and actors would occasionally get separated, causing Rønning to carry on.

I and my fellow enthusiasts were deeply committed to our shared experience out on the water. We had meticulously prepared for it as best as we could. But once we arrived, things took an unexpected turn. The water seemed to be in a constant state of flux, with everything around us moving in different directions. In an instant, Daisy, who was once with us, had been carried away by the currents. We were left scrambling to keep up and bring her back.

It wasn’t unexpected that currents would pose a challenge during production, and they made every effort to address the issue. There were numerous complications, as Joachim Rønning acknowledges was an stressful experience. Given that it mirrored the experiences of the real Truy Ederle, this added pressure seemed fitting. The director elaborated…

I recollect having a conversation with Daisy about it right from the start, and sharing my concerns that things would be challenging in that regard. I feel fortunate to have had such an excellent collaborator by my side. Out on the water, temperatures hovered around 60-61 degrees Fahrenheit, while the water was a chilly 15-16 degrees Celsius. The elements added to the harshness with their currents, wind, and rain. To top it off, I faced my greatest fear: the ever-present boats and their propellers. Despite being safety vessels, the atmosphere was tense. As Jerry puts it, this setting offered us a glimpse into Trudy’s experiences.

Daisy Ridley delivers an impressive act in “The Young Woman and the Sea.” Her presence is felt strongly even when she’s not visible, swimming underwater, which adds depth to her performance. You can stream this captivating film on Disney+.

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2024-07-20 01:09