The 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, one of California’s deadliest, started when a Pacific Gas and Electric Company transmission line in the Feather River Canyon fell during strong winds. The fire destroyed more than 13,500 homes and killed 85 people.
“The Lost Bus,” released on Apple TV+ on Friday, tells the true story of bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) and teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), who rescued 22 schoolchildren from the engulfing flames. Journalist Lizzie Johnson’s book, “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire,” inspired producer Jamie Lee Curtis to make the film. “The Lost Bus” tells a story of grief, family, healing relationships and finding community.
The Moody College of Communication hosted an exclusive Q&A and screening event on Tuesday with professor and Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, interviewed by his “Script to Screen” teaching counterpart, Scott Rice.
“These kind of events give you the chance to hear from some incredible people,” said Anita Vangelisti, interim dean of Moody College. “Some of them are actors, some of them are writers (and) some of them are successful business people. In Matthew McConaughey, you’re going to have all three of those at the same time.”
Director Paul Greengrass’ documentary-style filmmaking, along with Hollywood high-budget effects, makes for a suspenseful watch. Giving the fire its own point of view, the film captivates the audience as the camera watches the flames engulf the town.
McKay, in the film and real life, strayed from his usual bus route from Ponderosa Elementary to pick up the kids and teachers, Ludwig and Abbie Davis, combined into one character for the film. After driving to the pickup spot, they found the school swallowed by fire. With no plan, they endured a five-hour journey through the wildfire to get the kids to safety in the neighboring town, Chico.
McConaughey stars in the film alongside his real-life son, Levi McConaughey, and mother, Mary Kathlene “Kay” McConaughey. The natural family dynamic made for a heartwarming watch, especially as Shaun, McKay’s son, and McKay hug after a fight and separately enduring the disaster.
A real-life, three-generation family has not been cast in a film since “It Runs in the Family” in 2003, starring Kirk, Michael and Cameron Douglas, according to McConaughey.
“This film is going to outlive us,” McConaughey said. “To be on the red carpet at Toronto Film Festival, arm around my mom on the right side, arm around my son on the left side — that picture’s already framed in my office.”
After the fire, real-life McKay decided to train as a teacher. He now works at Fair View School in Chico, California. Ludwig and McKay both praise “The Lost Bus” for its portrayal of the events, according to The Guardian. Fires continue to impact California each year, seeing an uptick in fires burning over 100,000 acres since 2000, according to Frontline Wildfire Defense.
“You get ordinary people who you can call heroes,” McConaughey said. “They run towards a crisis instead of away from it.”
McConaughey said that the film represents second chances and rebuilding.
“We’ve all … had a fight with a loved one,” McConaughey said. “Most of us get to … reunite with that person and make up, … but sometimes, we don’t get that chance. It’s a reminder about how (when) you leave someone, what if that’s the last time you’re going to see them?”
