Interview - Sarah’s Oil: Inside the Film About the Girl Who Became America’s First Black Oil Millionaire

When history and Hollywood collide, you get Sarah’s Oil, the compelling new film that tells the remarkable story of Sarah Rector, the young Black girl who became one of America’s first Black millionaires. The movie doesn’t just celebrate her incredible achievement, it dives into the challenges she faced growing up in the early 1900s, from navigating a society that underestimated her worth to defending the wealth that rightfully belonged to her. Recently, The TV Cave participated in a roundtable hosted by The African-American Film Critics Association, giving us the chance to explore the making of this cinematic gem and get insight from the actors who brought this inspiring story to life. Check out our full review of the film here.

The film’s lead, Naya Desir-Johnson, shines as Sarah Rector, capturing both the innocence and resilience of a girl who became a symbol of determination and ingenuity. But the magic of Sarah’s Oil extends beyond its protagonist. The married acting duo Kenric and Sonequa Martin-Green, portraying Sarah’s supportive adult parents in the film, shared with us their first-time experience acting as a married couple on screen. Kenric reflected, “This movie checks a lot of boxes for us. We’ve been married for fifteen years, and doing a movie together was on our list. To play husband and wife in such a meaningful story, that reflects real history, it was phenomenal. There was such a sense of peace and security on set—it really felt like home.” The Greens emphasized that portraying a couple who navigates history’s complexities alongside a brave young girl like Sarah allowed them to channel both personal and collective experiences into their performances, making the story resonate on a deeper level.

The roundtable also touched on the emotional weight of portraying Sarah’s struggle against discrimination and injustice. We asked, “With such heavy material, and Sarah being called some nasty words, how did you all protect her being so young? Naya, how did you feel, or how did you all protect each other?” The cast’s answer revealed the thoughtful care that went into these scenes. Sonequa described the intensity of filming moments that reflect historical prejudice, saying, “It hit all of us. We had to see it with our own eyes. There were moments where we had to come together, pray, and just support each other to get through it.” The actors treated these emotionally charged scenes with both realism and respect, balancing the portrayal of harsh truths with the safety and dignity of everyone on set, especially Nia as the film’s young lead.

Sarah’s Oil is more than just a historical drama. It’s a story about empowerment, family, and resilience, a cinematic reminder that history is shaped by people who dare to claim what’s theirs. By bringing Sarah Rector’s story to the screen, the filmmakers offer audiences an opportunity to witness how courage, integrity, and intelligence intersect, even in the face of adversity. As the cast demonstrated during the roundtable, creating this film was a collaborative effort that allowed actors to connect deeply with their characters, each other, and the story itself.

For fans of historical dramas, powerful performances, and stories of trailblazing figures, Sarah’s Oil is essential viewing. Between the Greens’ heartfelt first-time collaboration as an on-screen couple and Naya Desir-Johnson’s fearless portrayal of a young girl who became a millionaire against all odds, this film is poised to leave a lasting impression.

From the set to the screen, Sarah’s Oil reminds us why some stories need to be told and retold. The TV Cave is proud to have joined this roundtable, asking the questions that highlight the artistry, challenges, and triumphs behind a film that honors history while inspiring today’s audiences.