True Story Behind ‘Blue Miracle’ on Netflix

Netflix film “Blue Miracle” is a heartwarming, family-friendly movie that would seem too good to be true if it is wasn’t based on a real story.

The Hollywood production, which premiered in May, takes a few liberties, but it turns out, the true story is actually more dramatic than what was depicted on the big screen.

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“This story, it’s so unbelievable that if it weren’t true, you could never write a movie about it,” Julio Quintana, writer and director for “Blue Miracle,” said. “True stories resonate with audiences in a way that fictional stories don’t.”

WATCH THE OFFICIAL NETFLIX TRAILER FOR ‘BLUE MIRACLE’ BELOW:

What is the true story of Netflix’s “Blue Miracle”?

In 2014, a group of orphans their caretaker at Casa Hogar Orphanage reeled in the prize-winning, 385-pound blue marlin to win the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The orphans were able to enter the competition against 128 other teams because the Dallas-based Bisbee’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund opened it up to help the community recover from Hurricane Odile, which devastated the region just five weeks before.

WATCH THE REAL VIDEO OF TEAM CASA HOGAR WINNING BELOW:

Is Papa Omar real?

Yes. Omar Venegas, called “Papa Omar” and played by actor Jimmy Gonzales, was the one who caught the prize-winning fish, just as depicted in the film.

But the Netflix depiction left out a dramatic detail in his life. After Venegas and the orphans found out there were entered in the competition, he was in a serious car accident.

“[God] made sure I was in the tournament,” Venegas, the operations director at Casa Hogar, said. “Things happen on God’s plan. God always gives his blessings wholly, He never gives just half.”

Had the orphans really never fished?

Yes. While Venegas did have experience fishing, he had never fished for marlin. However, all of the orphans had never even fished in their life.

“We won the Bisbee’s Marlin World Tournament … my first time fishing a marlin,” Venegas said after the win. “First time in a famous tournament and First Place, let me tell you ONLY GOD does this miracle. God, the only God, creator of all that exists today. He decided to bless Casa Hogar Cabo A.C. with this huge prize!”

Is the captain real?

No. Dennis Quaid’s character, Wade Malloy, who is a washed-up fisherman with a rundown boat, was completely fictional. The real Capt. Ernie Cossio is a local with a nice boat named “Mucho Bueno” and a successful charter fishing business.

Cossio said it took 43 minutes to reel in the winning catch.

The Casa Hogar team pledged their $258,325 prize to the home they share with 42 other children. The money was used to remodel the facilities and a girls’ program was added.

How is Casa Hogar doing today?

Great! Although the orphanage received no official compensation for the film, Papa Omar hopes it will continue to lead to more children getting help.

“I want everyone to have the opportunity to see Casa Hogar and how God is doing his work,” Venegas told media at the press event for the film.

And the orphanage said it’s received “an outpouring of messages” from all over the world on its Facebook page.

You can donate to Casa Hogar here.

BONUS: I love this song “Fight For Me (Blue Miracle Version)” from the film by GAWVI featuring Lecrae and Tommy Royale. Enjoy 🙂

Caleb Parke is a senior correspondent for the ‘Todd Starnes Show.’ Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.