New Christmas Film Breaks Ground for Disabled Children
A new holiday-themed film dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities is now available for online purchase.
"The Child King," which has received the endorsement from such leading children's organizations including KIDS FIRST and Exceptional Parent Magazine, tells the heartwarming story of an older brother determined to prove to his younger sibling that Santa Claus exists.
While the major motion picture follows in the steps of many classic holiday films, its leading actor is far from mainstream in the entertainment industry.
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When he assumed the leading role in "The Child King" at the age of 17, Peter Johnson joined a very select group of actors with Down syndrome. Furthermore, when the film was shot, Johnson – now 21 – was a high school junior and a first-time actor.
"Peter's role in 'The Child King' provides a great example of how actors with intellectual disabilities can fully participate in modern filmmaking," said Gail Williamson, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles and the head of Down Syndrome in Arts & Media, Hollywood's preeminent talent agency for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
"Having worked with the television and movie industry for more than 20 years, it is refreshing to see a film like 'The Child King' provide a positive portrayal of individuals with intellectual disabilities," she added in a published endorsement.
"I consider 'The Child King' a must-have for any family that treasures a heartwarming, uplifting story."
The film was created, written and co-produced by Jeff Kerr, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and directed by his brother Frank, a graduate of the prestigious New York University Film School and a veteran writer and director whose credits include "The Legend of Prince Valiant," "True Blood," and Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories."
"The Child King was written as a dad lesson to my children," said Kerr in a released statement. "Having an adventurous spirit, a little faith and a lot of kindness is not a bad place to start when trying to shape your kids. I only needed a hero to deliver that message and I found it in the image of a fellow agent's son, Joey Granatino, a three-year-old dynamo with Down syndrome."
To date, most of the exposure for "The Child King" has come via the Kerrs' website (thechildking.com), where DVDs are available for $19.95 plus shipping.
"The Child King" has also been shown at a few film festivals, chosen as an official selection of the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival and tapped as the winner of the Kids First "Feature Films for Families" award.
According to media representative Richard Sheehy, the film is being re-released this year in the hopes of raising more awareness of it and the cause it seeks to support.
All of the proceeds from the sale of "The Child King" will go to support The Child King Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the families of those with intellectual disabilities. In addition, all orders placed for the film will result in employment for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
On the Web:
www.thechildking.com.
