There are a number of reasons to head to Greater Union Cinemas in Wollongong on Wednesday to watch the premiere of Standing Up for Sunny.
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Especially if you enjoy a good film and want to raise awareness about people with a disability and funds for Austinmer RFS.
Furthermore the "charming Australian rom-com" is produced by Wollongong's own Drew Bailey and features extras from Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts.
Bailey, who went to St Josephs in Albion Park and WHSPA, said it was great to get to see so many kids from Wollongong in the movie.
He added it was also good Standing up for Sunny portrayed people living with disabilities in a positive manner.
"We definitely tried to cast authentically," Bailey told the Mercury.
"Trying to find an actor with cerebral palsy who could act in Australia was difficult. We auditioned a bunch of people."
The filmmakers hit the jackpot when RJ Mitte of Breaking Bad fame agreed to play one of the leads.
"RJ has been to Australia a few times, and actually spent time in Wollongong before, and he was really excited about coming back and working with Steve Vidler the director," Bailey said.
Standing up for Sunny is basically about a guy with cerebral palsy who is kind of angry with the world.
"He ends up getting this new flatmate who is blind and they kind of go out on a bunch of adventures to essentially win a girl over and cheer him up a bit.
"After a series of misadventures they end up hopefully in the right spot," Bailey said.
The award-winning Australian movie has teamed up with disability support service Real Life Assistants for its Illawarra premiere at Wollongong's Greater Union Cinemas on Wednesday, February 5.
Real Life Assistants chief executive officer Samantha Hill said it was great to partner with the filmmakers.
"The cast of this movie largely consist of people with a disability, which is rare in the world of movie making," she said.
"We thought it was a really good opportunity because the movie kind of resonates with us in terms of disability and people being employed to actually be in the movie.
"And we also wanted to make sure, because some of our participants volunteer at Austi RFS, that we raised money for them.
"While Wollongong hasn't been so affected by the bushfires, Austi RFS has supported Nowra, Picton and Campbelltown during their times of need."
Drew Bailey and actor Bronte Kellam-Pearson will attend the Wollongong premiere starting at 6pm and talk about the film.
RJ Mitte has pre-recorded an introduction and talk about his experience of the film.
Tickets cost $25. Call 0423 022 301 for details.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
