Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh
Cast: Zachary Levi, Naya Desir-Johnson, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan
Sarah's Oil is a 2025 American biographical drama film directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, based on the true story of Sarah Rector, an eleven-year-old African American girl from Oklahoma who, against all odds at the turn of the twentieth century, discovers oil beneath the land allotted to her family.
What is Sarah's Oil about?
Set in the early 1900s on the Oklahoma Indian Territory, the film follows young Sarah Rector, a girl whose family was allocated a stretch of land widely considered worthless scrubland. While those around her see nothing of value, Sarah clings to an unwavering conviction that something precious lies beneath the surface. Her faith puts her at odds with the adults and institutions surrounding her, and the story traces the personal and social forces that shaped what would become one of the most remarkable reversals of fortune in American history. The film portrays the stakes of belief, the weight of systemic injustice, and the quiet courage it takes to hold a vision that no one else can see.
Cast & crew
Director Cyrus Nowrasteh, known for tackling historical and politically charged subjects, brings a measured hand to the material. Zachary Levi leads the cast alongside Sonequa Martin-Green and Garret Dillahunt. Naya Desir-Johnson portrays Sarah, anchoring the film's emotional center. The supporting ensemble includes Bridget Regan, Kenric Green, Adyan Copes, and Stelio Savante.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking viewers in the diaspora, Sarah's Oil offers a resonant parallel: a story about a marginalized community holding onto land and identity under a system designed to strip both away. Iranian-Americans and the broader diaspora community carry their own generational memory of dispossession and perseverance, and biographical dramas that center underrepresented voices translate powerfully across cultures. The film is available with Persian dubbing, making it accessible to Farsi speakers of all ages, including family members who are more comfortable in their native language. It is a historical drama grounded in documented fact, not fiction.
Where & how to watch
Sarah's Oil is available on K-Time with full Persian dubbing and Persian subtitles. You can stream it on your TV, phone, or computer — no VPN is needed and there is no geo-blocking. Subscribe and cancel anytime.