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A new film about real life, family, joy, and learning to accept the world one finds oneself in, challenges and all hits theatres on Friday, February 21.
The Unbreakable Boy follows the true story of 12-year-old Austin who has autism and a genetic brittle bone disease that Teresa, his mom, had been born with. "It's about life through his eyes and his thirst and quench for life. His spirit is just so infectious. No matter what hardball, what curveballs life throws at him, he's got a response that you just want to carry with you over and over again," producer Kevin Downes said.
Through the challenges their family faces, Scott and Teresa face their own personal battles, but Downes hopes that viewers will leave encouraged no matter their situation. "It's really about delivering this rush of hope. There's hope in any circumstance, no matter what, there's hope in Jesus. I love what this film does. It makes it relatable to families with whatever circumstances or hardships you might be going through, and then it just offers ideas of how to tackle them."
As a father to three boys, Downes says that watching this film has helped him become a better father. "I'm a father of three boys 11, 15, and 16. I love going through the experience of watching this film because it allows me to appreciate my boys even more. If I'm frustrated with them, I'm like, 'Okay, I can stop,' and it'll cause me to look through pictures and go, 'Okay, I love my kids, I got to go up and tell them,' and it's just one of those films that just makes you feel good about life."
Work on The Unbreakable Boy began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when people were searching for encouragement. "The themes of the story of bravery, and challenging tough circumstances in a very difficult environment, which was like at the beginning of COVID. You can't leave your house and all these things and as a society we're going to get out of this. And wouldn't it be great if we made a movie that just encouraged people? In their life they had to make brave choices to be able to go out and selflessly love their neighbour in a way that maybe they hadn't thought of before. And really tackle life's challenges in a very unique way."
While Downes said most movies produced by Kingdom Story Company are true stories, this one was extra special because of the family involved. "They came and visited the set. But then during the promotion and the marketing just to really showcase them and put them front and center because they're an inspiration."
He encourages viewers to go out and see The Unbreakable Boy on opening weekend since that is when it is decided how long the movie will last in theatres. As well as allow extra time after for conversation. "It's going to give people something to talk about. That will really bring them closer to their community and their society as a whole."
The Unbreakable Boy hits theatres on February 21.