McFarland, USA interview with Jim White, & The Real Diaz Brothers #McFarlandUSAEvent
Behind The Scenes With The Real-Life Inspirations Of McFarland, USA
McFarland, USA is a movie that resonates with audiences due to its basis in reality. It’s not every day you get to meet the people who inspired such an incredible true story. Meeting and conversing with Coach Jim White and the Diaz brothers, the real-life inspirations behind the film, was undoubtedly a unique experience.
Truthful Representation of the Diaz Brothers’ Life
The movie did an excellent job encapsulating the life of the Diaz brothers, particularly their upbringing in the picking life. To quote Damacio Diaz:
“We were about seven or eight years old when all that began. For us, it was a way of life. Even some of us, after graduating college, like Danny, the day after he graduated from the university with the diploma, he was in the fields working, because that was, in our family, what was expected. Until he got hired and got his job. So, for us it was normal.”
The Current State of McFarland, USA
Not much has changed in McFarland since the movie was filmed. There’s just not much to do, so without education and sports, many kids would be lost to the streets. The town’s excitement over the movie and the notoriety it has brought is palpable, as Danny Diaz explains:
“Right now our community is, uh, excited, uh, obviously with the movie and rightfully so. Uh, the — all the notoriety that they’re getting and, and what this, uh, man over here, Mr. White, our coach, has, has brought to not just, uh, our, our program but to our community.”
A Shift in Town Identity
While there may not be much change in the town itself, Jim White notes a significant shift in the town’s identity. The town is no longer the “Heartbeat of Agriculture”. Now they are a runner running through the field, a figure — a silhouette of a runner. This change is encapsulated in a new logo designed by a local high school student, bearing the words “Tradition, Unity, and Excellence”.
The Diaz Brothers Today
While the Diaz brothers no longer “train” as they once did, David Diaz still runs competitively, and coaches, while his brothers run with their kids to stay in shape. They also emphasize that the steep hills they trained on in real life were far more challenging than portrayed in the movie.
The Journey to The Big Screen
The journey of McFarland’s story to the big screen took nearly 15 years and involved many companies before Disney picked it up. The decision to go with Disney was celebrated, as the brothers and Coach White wanted a clean movie without sex, cursing, or cigarettes.
Influence on The Movie
When it came to making the movie, the Diaz brothers didn’t have much say in how their life was portrayed. However, Jim White had significant influence over the narrative.
Inspiring Future Generations
Many of the Diaz brothers became teachers and coaches, inspired by Coach White’s impact on their lives. They were also influenced by their parents and their community’s emphasis on education over other paths. Their sports involvement was encouraged by their oldest brother, David Diaz, as a way to teach discipline, character, and the realities of winning and losing.
Enduring Respect for Coach White
The Diaz brothers’ enduring respect for Coach White is evident even today. Their experiences growing up and the subsequent portrayal of their lives on the big screen is a testament to the lasting impact of their coach and the power of their shared story.
McFarland, USA is rated PG and opened in theaters everywhere on February 20th!
Follow McFARLAND, USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa
Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypictures
The real-life inspirations of McFarland, USA serve as a reminder of the power of resilience, hard work, and community. Their story continues to inspire audiences around the world.
| Person | Role | Contribution |
| — | — | — |
| Jim White | Coach | Inspired the Diaz brothers, had influence on the movie |
| Damacio Diaz | One of the Diaz brothers | Shared his story for the movie |
| Danny Diaz | One of the Diaz brothers | Shared his story for the movie |
| David Diaz | One of the Diaz brothers | Still runs competitively and coaches |
| Kevin Costner | Actor in the movie | Played the role of Jim White |
| Unknown | High school girl | Came up with the town’s new logo |
| Unnamed Company | First chosen for the movie | Dropped by the Diaz brothers |
| Disney | Movie Company | Picked up the story and made the movie |
The Impact of Coach Jim White
Jim White, the coach behind McFarland’s success, was instrumental in shaping the lives of the Diaz brothers and many others in the community. His dedication and commitment to the team were unwavering, and his influence extended far beyond the field. He was not just a coach, but a mentor, a guide, and a beacon of hope for many. His strong belief in the potential of each team member instilled a sense of self-worth in the boys, which was often missing in their lives.
Real-Life Challenges of the Diaz Brothers
One aspect that the film McFarland, USA depicted accurately was the immense challenges faced by the Diaz brothers. Their daily life involved waking up early to work in the fields before school, which was physically taxing and mentally draining. Yet, they persevered, juggling school, work, and training with determination. This grit and resilience are a testament to their character and are a significant part of what makes their story so inspiring.
The Role of Education in McFarland
Education played a pivotal role in the lives of the McFarland residents. For many, it was seen as the only way out of the harsh realities of fieldwork. The emphasis on education, instilled by Coach White and the community, was a driving force behind the Diaz brothers’ success. They understood the importance of education and made it a priority, even amidst the challenges they faced.
Behind the Scenes of Making “McFarland, USA”
The making of McFarland, USA was a long and challenging process. It took almost 15 years for the story to hit the big screen, with many companies showing interest but ultimately passing on the project. When Disney finally picked it up, the Diaz brothers and Coach White were thrilled. They wanted a clean, family-friendly movie that accurately represented their story, and Disney delivered.
The Legacy of McFarland, USA
The legacy of McFarland, USA extends far beyond the movie. The story of the Diaz brothers and Coach White has inspired countless people around the world. The town of McFarland continues to be known for its strong sense of community, resilience, and emphasis on education and sports. The residents take great pride in their town’s identity, symbolized by the new logo, a silhouette of a runner, representing their unity, tradition, and excellence.
FAQs About McFarland, USA
Q: Is McFarland, USA a true story?
A: Yes, McFarland, USA is based on the true story of a high school cross-country team from a predominantly Latino, agricultural town in California, coached by Jim White.
Q: What is the impact of the movie on the town of McFarland?
A: The movie brought significant notoriety to the town, but its impact extends beyond fame. It has helped shift the town’s identity from being known as the “Heartbeat of Agriculture” to a community recognized for its unity, tradition, and excellence in sports and education.
Q: What happened to the Diaz brothers?
A: The Diaz brothers have all pursued careers in education and coaching, inspired by their own experiences and the influence of Coach White. They continue to stay active and run, instilling the values they learned from their coach in the next generation.
Conclusion
The story of McFarland, USA, the Diaz brothers, and Coach Jim White is one of resilience, hard work, and the power of community. Their journey from the fields of McFarland to the big screen serves as a potent reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, their story is sure to inspire.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who are the real-life inspirations for McFarland, USA?
The real-life inspirations for the movie McFarland, USA are Coach Jim White and the Diaz brothers.
2. How accurate is the portrayal of the Diaz brothers’ life in the movie?
According to the Diaz brothers, the movie did an excellent job encapsulating their life, particularly their upbringing in the picking life.
3. How has McFarland, USA changed since the movie was filmed?
Not much has changed in McFarland, USA since the movie was filmed. However, there has been a significant shift in the town’s identity, from being known as the “Heartbeat of Agriculture” to being represented by a runner’s silhouette.
4. What do the Diaz brothers do now?
While the Diaz brothers no longer “train” as they once did, David Diaz still runs competitively, and coaches, while his brothers run with their kids to stay in shape.
5. How long did it take for McFarland’s story to reach the big screen?
The journey of McFarland’s story to the big screen took nearly 15 years and involved many companies before Disney picked it up.
6. Did the Diaz brothers and Coach White have a say in how their life was portrayed in the movie?
The Diaz brothers didn’t have much say in how their life was portrayed in the movie. However, Jim White had significant influence over the narrative.
7. What are the Diaz brothers doing to inspire future generations?
Many of the Diaz brothers became teachers and coaches, inspired by Coach White’s impact on their lives. They were also influenced by their parents and their community’s emphasis on education over other paths.
8. How do the Diaz brothers feel about Coach White now?
The Diaz brothers’ enduring respect for Coach White is evident even today. Their experiences growing up and the subsequent portrayal of their lives on the big screen is a testament to the lasting impact of their coach.
9. Where can I follow updates about McFarland, USA?
You can follow updates about McFarland, USA on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa and Disney Pictures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/disneypictures.
