A film about disability, softball, resilience, and all the burdens of American society is set to release on multiple platforms. The omnipresence of religion, the freedom to try everything, the courage and determination of the heroine, chronic moral lessons: this film can only be American. It talks about softball and societies facing disability, and that’s what we remember.
The trailer for the film shows the Pavey family as Katelyn, born with a condition that halted the growth of her left arm at the elbow, breaks barriers. She becomes the first athlete from Lanesville, Indiana, to receive a scholarship to play softball in college.
« I Can » talks about everyone’s challenges and directly addresses the feelings of guilt and shame of a father who distances himself from God because of his daughter’s disability, » said Paul Long, president of Kappa Studios. « With all the confusion, fear, and despair in the world today, we believe God gave us this trial to elevate culture with messages of hope. »
« I Can » will cover all aspects of Pavey’s life, including being born out of wedlock and finding solace in softball.
The trailer shows Pavey’s skill in the sport, which she calls a « wonderful gift from God. »
Pavey told the News and Tribune in March 2023 that she sees the film « more as a redemption story … about how I was conceived and … it’s centered on my life growing up in the sport. » She plays softball at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. This is her final year with the team.
One of the biggest challenges the directors faced was finding the right people to portray Katelyn and the rest of the Pavey family. Mrs. Long explained that the real Katelyn would serve as a body double in some scenes. The actress cast to play her had to « look enough like Katelyn for the real Katelyn to be the body double. » The choice ultimately fell on Danner Brown.
« She has the same hair color. They are practically the same height, » said director Tyler Sansom. « They look a lot alike, but not in the face. We had to do a bit of cinematic magic there. »
Brown also had her arm tied behind her back and wore a prosthetic during filming.
Much of Pavey’s journey to success in her sport is based on the strong Christian values she and her family hold. These values are widely discussed in the film, including her parents’ struggle to accept her condition, believing it was a punishment.
