Interview:
Joel Smallbone,
star/co-writer/co-director,
"Unsung Hero"
In Unsung Hero, Christian pop star Joel Smallbone stars as his father David in a music biography that recounts the struggles faced by their family when they emigrated in 1991 from Australia to the United States. Co-written and co-directed by Joel Smallbone and Richard Ramsey, Unsung Hero finds Australian Christian music promotor David Smallbone in debt after financing a disastrous tour by U.S. singer Amy Grant. David accepts an offer to start a record label in Nashville, but after relocating his pregnant wife Helen and their five children to the United States, David discovers that not only has the offer been rescinded but opportunities in the U.S. music industry are far and few between. So the penniless David and his children take on menial jobs to get by while also accepting the kindness of strangers. Hope comes in the form of the Smallbones’ eldest child Rebecca, who possesses a singing voice worthy of a record contract. But David’s pride threatens to put an end to Rebecca’s dream to sign to a Christian music record label. Unsung Hero also stars Kirrilee Berger as Rebecca Smallbone, who has performed since 1994 under the stage name Rebecca St. James, and Daisy Betts as family matriarch Helen Smallbone. Unsung Hero, which opened April 26 in Austin theaters, is named after the For King & Country song that Joel Smallbone and his brother Luke wrote in celebration of their mother Helen. Unsung Hero star/co-writer/director Joel Smallbone is one-half of the Christian pop duo For King & Country along with his brother Luke Smallbone. He makes his directorial debut with Unsung Hero. He previously starred in Journey To Bethlehem, Priceless, Like a Country Song, and The Book of Esther.
Aired: April 24, 2024. Web sites: https://unsunghero.movie/ https://www.facebook.com/unsungheromovie https://www.forkingandcountry.com/ |
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