“Dolphin Tale 2” continues the true story of the courageous dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery, due to to a groundbreaking flexible, prosthetic tail, made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 movie “Dolphin Tale.”
Father Ed Benioff, director of the Office of the New Evangelization, “Radiate LA,” at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles had the opportunity to speak with Nathan Gamble, 16, one of the stars of “Dolphin Tale 2,” on how this film speaks volumes about overcoming adversity, the importance of volunteering, and most importantly, building a culture of love.
Here is a transcript of their video interview:
Father Ed: Hi friends, this is Father Ed from Los Angeles and I am so blessed to have the star of “Dolphin Tale 2” with me today, Nathan Gamble. Nathan, thanks for being here with me today.
Nathan Gamble: Thanks for having me.
Father Ed: Such a great film because there’s so many excellent messages for family and for our culture and all of our communities in this beautiful film. For you working on this, what was the most important lesson you learned from this film?
NG: Whenever I would see a person with like a physical handicap or someone who just looked visibly different than me, I would think that they were different, which is totally not the case. I got to see on this movie with all the people that Winter inspired, I got to meet them and really get to talk to them and get to know them and they’re just like us. The only thing that really makes them different from them to us is that they’re more courageous.
Father Ed: Definitely. What was it like working with Bethany Hamilton, the star of “Soul Surfer”?
NG: Oh my gosh. I call her the human version of Winter because they both mean the same thing. They both show that anyone can overcome adversity like they did and she obviously showed it. I mean, she’s incredible and working with her was so much fun. She was such a blast to work with.
Father Ed: You know it’s so beautiful in the film, we notice that a disability lead to many people coming together in love, it was so beautiful. And yet I learned in my life many times I’m not willing to show my disability or my limitations so others can help me. Have you noticed that in your life?
NG: That’s very true. Before, I was not that confident of a person and I think when I met Winter she just brought it out of me. She just says that you can make this and you can overcome whatever you put your mind to, and I think that’s what is so magical about Winter.
Father Ed: I noticed, too, that in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium there are many volunteers.
NG: Oh my gosh, yeah. Hundreds, hundreds of volunteers.
Father Ed: And what would your message be to young people today about reaching out and volunteering and giving of themselves?
NG: You know, I think when it comes down to it, don’t go into it thinking, “All right, I’m going to donate something and I hope people see what I’m doing. I hope people see that I’m giving my time to this charity and people think I’m cool.” You have to be passionate about it, you actually really believe in the cause and I think everyone at the aquarium really does and I think that’s what makes giving to a charity or donating to a charity so important.
Father Ed: Right, so Nathan, thank you so much for being here.
NG: Thank you, gosh, I had such a good time.
Father Ed: You’re a great star so we’ll look for you in this movie and many others. So God bless everyone.
“Dolphin Tale 2,” 107 min, PG. Directed by Charles Martin Smith. Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble. Distributed by Warner Bros.
Dolphin Tale 2 now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download.
