An Operation Smile student volunteer’s experience on a medical mission, was the inspiration for the feature film “Smile.” Written and directed by Jeff Kramer, “Smile” stars Beau Bridges, Sean Astin, Cheri Oteri, Linda Hamilton, Mika Boorem “Blue Crush,” Yi Ding “Joy Luck Club,” Erik von Detten “Princess Diaries,” and Luoyong Wang -Broadway’s “Miss Saigon.”
The film “Smile,” is one of the first feature films in decades to be fully licensed by the Chinese Government for release and production in that country prior to filming by a western filmmaker, premiered in the Los Angeles and San Francisco/Bay Area markets. A portion of the film’s proceeds will go to Operation Smile. (For more information about the film, visit www.smilethemovie.com)
The inspiration for the movie happened several years ago. In 2001, Katharine Kramer, a 15-year old senior high school student in Malibu, Calif., and the daughter of “Smile” writer/director Jeff Kramer, joined her school’s Operation Smile club to raise money for children with facial deformities. The following year, she participated as a student educator on an Operation Smile mission. Moved by his daughter’s experience, Mr. Kramer realized that his daughter had grown into a more well-rounded and caring person and he was inspired to write “Smile.” Mr. Kramer said, “The practical relations between parents and their children, no matter what country or culture they are from, are basically the same. We all want our children to be educated, healthy and respected. I have tried to present ‘Smile’ in an artistic and beautiful way. People who watch this film are often moved to tears, through their smiles.”
Regarding the film, Dr. Bill Magee, Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder, said, “We are honored that this movie grew out of a father’s desire to document his own daughter’s inspirational experiences during an Operation Smile medical mission to the Philippines. We believe in the importance of empowering young people with a sense of service and leadership. And knowing that a portion of this movie’s proceeds will benefit our programs will help us to help more children around the world. That is a real reason to ‘Smile.’”
In the movie, Katie (Mika Boorem,) a teenage girl from Malibu, Calif., finds herself in the throes of growing up, facing her parents (Beau Bridges and Linda Hamilton,) her boyfriend (Erik von Detten,) her sexuality and a very privileged life. Half a world away in rural China, Lin (Yi Ding,) born on the same day as Katie, faces a much different reality. Because of a severe facial deformity, she lives a life of fear and shame. Her father, Daniel (Luoyong Wang,) has devoted his life to her, with hopes and dreams that her circumstances will change one day. The opportunity comes with the discovery of the worldwide “Doctor’s Gift” program. Inspired by one of her teachers (Sean Astin,) Katie volunteers and comes to China. Once there, she is deeply touched by the charity’s work and her roommate/surgical nurse (Cheri Oteri.) Katie takes off on her own into the heart of China to find Lin. A “smile” is brought to Lin’s face, Katie finds her soul, and their extraordinary connection becomes a life-changing experience for both teenage girls.
