Award-Winning Film 'Noble' Tells True Story of Woman Who Saves Millions; One Person Can 'Make A Difference' Says Movie Director [INTERVIEW]

Noble

The biopic 'Noble' will open in theaters May 8 and details the heroic life of Christina Noble who rescues one million children in Vietnam. BREATHEcast spoke to writer, director, and producer of the film, Stephen Bradley about his journey in taking on such a powerful story.

The Aspiration Media film stars Deirdre O'Kane (Moone Boy, Paths To Freedom), Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey, The Raven, Ailsa), Sarah Greene (The Guard, The Cripple of Inishmaan), and Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones, Hunger, Safe House).

See full interview below:

BC: Christina Noble's story is certainly an inspirational one. What prompted you to want to write it for film? 

Bradley: Well the answer to that is quite easy - my wife is the actress Deirdre O'Kane, who plays Christina Noble in the part of the film set in Vietnam and it was her idea to approach the real Christina to see if she would be interested in us making a film about her life. Deirdre had read Christina's books some years before that. There then followed a period of about 2 years when I was talking to Christina on and off, garnering all her amazing stories and also making her comfortable that we were the right people to tell her story.

BC: What aspect in her story did you really want to make sure you got on film? 

Bradley: I think her relationship with the street-children in Vietnam and Mongolia is the most important thing to Christina and therefore was the most important thing to me. It was wonderful to work with child-actors who were actually in the care of Christina's Foundation and completely understood the story we were telling because in many respects it was their story as well.

BC: Which, if any, parts of her powerful story were you not able to include in the movie but wish you could have?

Bradley: When I was writing the screenplay I wrote many other sequences and scenes that are not included in our film and that we never got to shoot. Perhaps the most dramatic and exciting one was the story of Christina driving a truck load of children's medical supplies into war-torn Beirut in 2006 as the bombs fell from the sky. Perhaps it'll be the sequel if NOBLE is a hit!!

BC: You highlighted the rampant industry of sex trafficking - tell us about that? 

Bradley: Well I wanted to refer to that in the film because although it is a small part of the story in NOBLE I think it is a very important one. Christina Noble has shown huge courage in combatting those who sexually abuse children and it is a dangerous battle to take on. Her protection of children from this abuse has shown fearless determination and has also lessened the instance of that abuse into the future in many countries.

BC: What did you personally learn about doing humanitarian work in foreign countries and combating sex trafficking that you can share with us that can help others become inspired to get involved? 

Bradley: I learned about one woman whose motto is that it only takes one person to make a difference. So we are undoubtedly all able to step up to the plate. I suppose the unique thing about Christina is that she has the talent and drive to follow a vision many decades into the future and never give up on her aims no matter how hard circumstances get. That's the really tough part to achieve.

BC: Why should people watch Noble? 

Bradley: because it's an extraordinary true story about Christina Noble which is tough but also funny, full of music and inspiration with an uplifting ending that makes the journey all the more worthwhile.

For more information on the film visit the films website thenoblemovie.com

Christina Noble is the founder of The Christina Noble Children's Foundation (www.cncf.org), which has built more than 100 projects across Vietnam and Mongolia, helping to improve the lives of nearly one million children and their families since 1991.