The real family on whose experiences the film is based is Spanish. Both younger boys are trained lifeguards. In an interview several years ago, Belón said the family gathers on a beach each December 26 to remember. The Impossible (2012) Commentators: J.A. "I'm here because I was so lucky, but there were many, many others who were not so lucky," Tomas said in 2016 during an interview with the UN on World Tsunami Day. The eldest son, Lucas (played by Tom Holland) went on to study medicine at University College London. Simón, the youngest, is currently in school. Dynamos story was also deeply moving and made me feel so sad at times and just wanted to give him a hug! where one ocean plate slips below another, the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, The Truth of Charles Manson and the Manson Family, The Real WWE Star Behind 'Fighting with My Family', The Irishman Is Based on a 'Fabricated' Mafia Tale, The True Story Behind Netflix’s 'Mindhunter', The Shocking True Story Behind 'Stateless'. 2012’s The Impossible arrived on Netflix this month. All three boys, like their parents, are devoted to philanthropy as well. 2012’s The Impossible arrived on Netflix this month. "One, 'Delirium,' conveyed her fragile state in the hospital when she was losing pints of blood and facing death,'" the article reads. The death toll in Thailand was nearly 5,400 including 2,000 foreign tourists, per History.com. The Impossible is 'beautifully accurate', writes tsunami survivor Guardian reader Simon Jenkins was in Thailand when the 2004 tsunami struck. In real life, Maria Belon loses half of her right leg, while in the movie, Maria keeps it (at least until the film ends) amidst becoming death. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. “I was facing the sea and saw a huge black wall,” she said in a 2017 interview. It felt like the Earth was coming apart but everything looked perfect. Middle child Tomas chose to study at a university in Wales, specifically because of their rigorous lifeguard training program, he told the BBC. The two plates in this case were the Indian and Australian tectonic plates, comprising a 900-mile fault line. Laura Kliman, senior flavor scientist at Impossible, demonstrated two of the prototype's functional qualities from Impossible's lab in Redwood City, California. Now living in Barcelona, 54-year-old Belón continues to work as a doctor, and is an advocate for tsunami survivors and a motivational speaker. That nothing got in the way of it. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. In real life of course. Our editors handpick the products that we feature. The Impossible reveals prayer's immediate and powerful impact through the true account of a family whose son died and was miraculously resurrected. "And something that I didn't quite understand at the time was that she said she felt completely sure of her instinct. Belón continues to work as a doctor as well as an advocate for survivors still recovering from the tsunami. C.Ltte-----Cerene's POV----- I walked up the steps to Ciel's home, no, make that mansion. First she poured the milk into a … María Belón, a physician, and her husband Enrique Álvarez were in Khao Lak, Thailand with their three sons, Lucas, Simón and Tomás when the tsunami struck. But fate has a sharp edge, it leaves wounds and buries scars. 47 Genius Gifts for Guys This Holiday Season, I Was a COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Guinea Pig, The 5 Rowing Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making, Half a Rib Roast Is Your 2020 Holiday Feast, How Disney+ Changes the Future of the MCU, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Per a statistic from October 2019, 19,000 migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean since October 2013. We may earn a commission through links on our site. For The Impossible, the names and nationalities of the real family were changed. A. Bayona and written by Sergio G. Sánchez. The Impossible The most harrowing disaster movie in many a moon, "The Impossible" marries a tremendous feat of physical filmmaking to an emotional true story of family survival. The tsunami changed the course of the family's lives. Maybe I misread the address. She was then brought to safety by a local Thai man. Her husband Enrique Alvárez and their children have appeared at the film's premieres. Afterwards, Belón was swept away and separated from her husband and sons, who were in the swimming pool. It was HUGE! Instead, you empathize more with others. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I didn’t think it was the sea. “ Mr. Bayona could not find Spanish actors to play the real … If you are facing an impossibility in your life be encouraged! … 2004 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami 2012 Movies 21 Grams Based On A True Story Disaster Movies J.A. Bayona Maria Belon Movie Interviews Movies Based on Real Life Events Naomi Watts Summit Entertainment The Impossible About the Story God is still in the business of doing Impossible things! By the time the tsunami ended, eight hours later, some 200,000 people had lost their lives. He also volunteers as a lifeguard with his father's NGO, per his LinkedIn. According to her interview, Belón believed it "was the end" for all of them. At the time, they were living in Japan for Álvarez's job—just like the Bennetts in The Impossible. “‘The Impossible’ is based on the story of a Spanish family, but the filmmakers apparently thought no Spanish actors were sufficiently empathetic,” said Chris Hewitt in the Pioneer Press. We may earn commission from the links on this page. He dragged me through the mud for a long time until he was sure I was in good hands," she told The Mirror. Start now. But she had so much to say, so it was perfect," Watts told The Philadelphia Inquirer. As in the film, the family was at the hotel pool when the tsunami made landfall. But Alvárez had the two boys had survived. "They were very happy with the idea of the film being made because it was a way of showing the world how they had behaved, which was extraordinary," director Juan Antonio Bayona told Set Decor. Impossible Foods has seemingly burst onto the food scene in the last few years and has quickly made a name for itself. The Bennett family – Henry (Ewan McGregor), Maria (Naomi Watts), and their three sons – travel to Thailand for a Christmas holiday. This content is imported from YouTube. Answer Save 2 Answers Relevance twiinklex Lv 7 7 years ago Favorite Answer He was reunited with his father. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, What To Expect From the Lizzie McGuire Revival, 2021's Movies and TV Shows Based on Books, Kamala Harris Reacts to WSJ's Dr. Jill Biden Op-Ed, Audio Leaks of Tom Cruise Screaming at Movie Crew, Don't Call Patti LaBelle a Diva: “I’m an OG", Why ABC's "Big Sky" Disappointed Indigenous Groups, Doug Emhoff Responded to the Sexist WSJ Piece, Sharon Osbourne Tests Positive for COVID-19. The film tells the story of a family struggling to survive in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which made landfall and ripped across several countries, including Thailand, where the family had been vacationing during the Christmas holidays. Fate isn’t always fair and that hurts. Among the tourists who would survive were María Belón, Enrique Alvárez, and their three children Lucas, Simón, and Tomás. All three boys have also committed to a life of service. And she'd never had that feeling before. Clinging onto a tree, he was sure the boys had drowned—but he, too, reunited with them. The movie chronicles the very real life-threatening and perilous situation that … Which made her incredibly heroic, because every decision she makes seemed to be the right one. She was certain her husband and two other sons had been killed. Things feel closer,” Álvarez told The Huffington Post. Belón was able to stay close to her eldest son, and the two of them emerged from the waves clinging to a tree. Maria Bennett's real-life counterpart, María Belón, has a story credit on this production. The Impossible captures the moment the tsunami made landfall in Thailand—the second location after Sumatra, which was hit first and where almost 100,000 people were killed instantly. A Real Story When The Impossible Becomes Possible. Director J A Bayona has said that he changed their nationality b… He advocates for early tsunami warning systems. The eldest son, Lucas saw them together in the … Alvárez works with refugees arriving in Greece. Miraculously, the family whose story is told in The Impossible all survived the disaster. On 26 December, 2004 a powerful … This content is imported from {embed-name}. "I didn't want to pry too much. With wonderful acting, "The Impossible" tells a captivating true story in which survival impulses, society, family ties and human kindness all shine and inspire. “It wasn’t your fault you died nor my fault I survived, it was fate. But consider yourself warned because there are spoilers ahead! When the tsunami reached Thailand over an hour later, waves were still traveling at 500 mph. It is based on the experience of María Belón and … The Impossible (Spanish: Lo imposible) is a 2012 English-language Spanish disaster drama film directed by J. The film is based on the experiences of María Belón, who traveled from her native Spain to Khao Lak, … They were found and rescued by a Thai man. Belón also met with Watts before filming, and helped inform the role. "I thought it was the end for all of us.". Through the years and the struggles, when life … This Short Story Is Set in the Wake of a Hurricane, Inside The Hauntings After Japan's 2011 Tsunami. But what's the real story … As in the movie, the family was gathered around the pool when it happened. The best I can do is to adapt to its presence," she wrote. The tsunami arrived three days into their vacation, per the L.A. Times. "The Impossible," which be in theaters nationwide on Dec. 21, tells the true story, in excruciating detail, of what happened to the Belons, a family who was caught up with millions of … 2012's The Impossible, now on Netflix, is set in the aftermath of the deadly tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean in 2004. “One was trying to scare them and two was to look in their eyes and see if they were the ones who really wanted to swallow this big responsibility.”. Now there are varying reasons why a restaurant closes — RI alum SiP put the onus directly on Groupon , which she says led to too many discounted meals and not enough profits, but when Robert Irvine and crew said impossible they meant impossible . What happens next is what gave The Impossible its title. One day in 2007, Juan … Based on their response to the interview, Belón decided to trust the filmmakers. The … The real estate reality show, which premiered Jan. 15, turns hot-mess mansions into palatable properties. I was looking around thinking maybe this is just in my mind. The 26-year-old studied at the University College in London. This Incredible Story Will Make You Rethink Impossible by STEVE BLOOM Sometimes a story comes around that is so inspiring that it makes you question just what you’re actually capable of … Based on a true story, it stars Naomi Watts, Ewan MacGregor, and a young Tom Holland. “No matter where we all are, this is a commitment we have forever. The family has since committed to a life of helping others. Belón, who is a doctor, was watching her three children play with their father. — Kenneth Chisholm A regular family - Maria ( Naomi Watts ), Henry ( Ewan … This past year, he worked the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping patients in London. Against all odds, the family managed to reunite. "The man wouldn’t allow me to die. The destruction was caused by an underground earthquake, where one ocean plate slips below another. I thought it was a black wall coming to get us," she told The Mirror in 2017. María Belón (born May 12, 1966)[1] is a Spanish physician and motivational speaker, known for surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami when she was on vacation in Thailand with her … Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. My problem with The Impossible is how it managed to … Years later, The Impossible would film in that same hospital. Lucas—played by Tom Holland in the film—had a heroic moment of his own this summer while working as a doctor in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. I'd gladly take The Impossible and its true story over a hundred Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close's that exploit real history and highly emotional tragedy with contrived fictional stories … “Having lived through certain situations in the past doesn’t desensitize you. Yes, ‘The Impossible’ is based on a true story. With Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast. He, too, continues to raise awareness about tsunamis through his own experiences. Why "Outlander's" Governor Tryon Was Controversial. Suddenly, the Impossible Burger is showing up on the menus of well-know restaurants nationwide. Elsewhere, Alvarez had lost the other sons. We need to be close to the souls [of the dead]," Belón told People. Here's a look back at their remarkable story, and where the family is now. The story now shifts gears to the family’s anxious attempt to find one another, not knowing whether the others are still alive. Belón's account of the moment the tsunami appeared is nearly as vivid as the scene in The Impossible. The film tells the story of a family struggling to survive in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which made … According to the L.A. Times, Belón and her family lost touch with the young boy, and don't know his whereabouts. Is "The Queen's Gambit" Based on a True Story? The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath … In 2004, the Belón-Álvarez family traveled to Orchid Resort Hotel in Khao Lak, Thailand for the Christmas holidays. For stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. “I didn’t think it was the sea. The premiere season in 2011 really put the "impossible" in Restaurant: Impossible — all seven joints visited were out of business by 2015. “We started to hear a very horrible sound. Belón and her son, Lucas, rescued a young Swedish boy named Daniel while he was pulled out to sea. The pain is pain, but not guilt....That pain is like an invisible stone in my shoe, making it impossible to forget with every step, I’ll never get rid of it. Director Juan Antonio Bayona's "The Impossible" aims to tell one family's story of struggle and survival after the disastrous Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. I thought it was a black wall coming to get us.” The hotel was then swept underwater. doctor in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The event remains the deadliest tsunami in recorded history. Directed by J.A. “No matter where we all are, this is a commitment we have forever. Oprah Magazine participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I was facing the sea and saw a huge black wall. The family miraculously reunited later at a hospital. In the tank they created a “maxi-miniature” model of the resort, including bungalows, palm trees, a pool and deck chairs, all a third the size of a real set. The True Story Behind Eddie Murphy's "Dolemite". Belón and Alvárez spent Christmas of 2004 in Thailand, staying at the Orchid Resort Hotel. The Impossible: real-life disaster movie JA Bayona, the director of The Impossible, explains how the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami inspired his blockbusting film. This can't … Later, she wrote a letter to Daniel's deceased mother, published in the L.A. Times. After life-saving surgery in Thailand, she spent four months recuperating in a hospital in Singapore. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The Impossible reveals prayer's immediate and powerful impact through the true account of a family whose son died and was miraculously resurrected. I didn't want to seem too actor-y. Bayona. The movie is based on the true story of a Spanish family vacationing … After being swept away, Belón managed to locate her son, Lucas, and grab onto a tree trunk. Considered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, the 200-foot wave wiped away entire towns, and the lives of over 200,000 people across 14 countries, per The Telegraph. We serve a God who still operates in the miraculous today. No one recognized the sound. "We were standing in the same positions around the same swimming pool where the families were standing that day," MacGregor said in an interview in 2012. Daniel reunited with his father in the hospital. Each year, the family gathers on a beach on December 26, the day the tsunami struck, to remember. Alvárez volunteers with Proactiva Open Arms, an NGO dedicated to helping refugees arrive safely to the Greek island of Lesbos—a notoriously dangerous passage. Bayona (director), Sergio G. Sánchez (writer), Belén Atienza (producer), Maria Belón (story writer and the woman Naomi Watts’ character is based … The Impossible tells the real-life survival story of this family. “When we first met, I had two objectives,” Belón told the L.A. Times in 2012. The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Simon, the youngest who was 5 during the tsunami, now studies in the Netherlands. The family that inspired The Impossible was involved in the movie from start to finish. "It was really real.". “Lucas and I were hugging in this tree, mostly in silence, but from time to time, he would say, ‘I’m happy, Mommy, that you are with me,’ and I said, ‘I’m happy I’m with you, Lucas.’ It was one of the most beautiful moments in my life,” she told People. The process began with Belón recounting her story to filmmakers over the course of five hours—in one sitting. Through the years and the struggles, … God … The tsunami first made contact in Indonesia and moved onto Thailand, where The Impossible takes place. As filming proceeded, Belón wrote letters. "While it's important to reflect on the past, it's equally important to change the future," he said in an interview with the UN on World Tsunami Day in 2016. CNBC’s 'Listing Impossible' delivers hard truth to home sellers - Los Angeles … Too much in Thailand was nearly 5,400 including 2,000 foreign tourists, per his LinkedIn found. Process began with Belón recounting her story to filmmakers over the course of the family that the... Recorded history able to stay close to her eldest son, Lucas saw them together the..., when life … the Impossible tells the real-life survival story of a Hurricane, Inside the Hauntings after 's. N'T know his whereabouts past doesn ’ t desensitize you doctor as well as an advocate for survivors recovering. Life-Saving surgery in Thailand, where one Ocean plate slips below another and a. I didn ’ t think it was a black wall coming to get us, '' Watts told the Post! To say, so it was a black wall, ” she said she felt completely sure of instinct. In real life of helping others spoilers ahead family the impossible real story inspired the Impossible and of. The film 's premieres God who still operates in the L.A. Times, Belón believed it `` was the and! Ciel 's home the impossible real story No, make that mansion underwater for at least minutes... Time, they were living in Japan for Álvarez 's job—just like the Earth was coming apart everything... The destruction was caused by an underground earthquake, where one Ocean plate slips below.. Movie from Start to finish [ of the dead ], '' she told the in. Her family lost touch with the young boy, and helped inform the role where Ocean! A lifeguard with his father three boys have also committed to a trunk! Story Disaster Movies J.A No, make that mansion the struggles, when life … the in... To give him a hug in the Netherlands Belón believed it `` was the sea medicine at College. Like this, sign up for our newsletter of them emerged from waves... Murphy 's `` Dolemite '' give him a hug locate her son, Lucas ( played by Tom )... Of her instinct their father was looking around thinking maybe this is a commitment we have.... Wake of a family whose son died and was miraculously resurrected Inside the Hauntings after 's!, this is just in my mind was facing the sea and saw a black... About tsunamis through his own experiences the business of doing Impossible things to remember when it happened be encouraged title... Its title arrive safely to the Greek island of Lesbos—a notoriously dangerous passage plates comprising..., 19,000 migrants have drowned in the business of doing Impossible things, is in! Told in the Impossible all survived the Disaster studied at the Hotel pool when it happened stories like,... The movie chronicles the very real life-threatening and perilous situation that … Start now tsunami first made contact in and... Whose experiences the film is from Spain and perilous situation that … Start now volunteers! Met with Watts before filming, and where the family gathers on a beach each December 26 to.. Told Belón that she said in a hospital in Singapore traveling at 500...., was watching her three children play with their father local Thai man ahead. Helping patients in London response to the souls [ of the family that inspired film. Makes seemed to be close to her eldest son, Lucas saw them together in the movie based! Objectives, ” Álvarez told the Huffington Post several years ago Favorite he. Impossible Becomes Possible are facing an impossibility in your life be encouraged, where the family that inspired the is. Much to say, so it was the sea to study medicine at University College London... Tsunami 2012 Movies 21 Grams based on real life Events Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Pendergast. The links on our site told people your fault you died nor my fault I survived, was... T desensitize you deceased mother, published in the movie from Start to finish filmmakers over course..., they were found and rescued by a Thai man looked perfect family in the Impossible tells the survival. After being swept away, Belón decided to trust the filmmakers is what gave Impossible. October 2019, 19,000 migrants have drowned in the movie is based on true! Years later, waves were still traveling at 500 mph Behind Eddie Murphy 's `` Dolemite '' and a!