Where: Towers Cinema, King St Newcastle
When: Thursday 28 November 6.00pm to 9.30pm
Brought to you by Carers NSW
Sunny Boy Director Kaye Harrison will introduce the film and talk about the highs and lows of creating such a visual and provocatiove cinematic masterpiece. Local surfing identity Paul Parkes will speak of his passion for surfing, one that he shares with Sunny Boys lead singer Jeremy Oxley who was also a school boy surfing champion.
THE SUNNYBOY follows 50 year-old Jeremy Oxley, the enigmatic front man of the much-lauded 80’s band the Sunnyboys as he emerges from a 30-year battle with schizophrenia.
Only recently stabilised with medication and secure in a loving environment, the documentary follows Jeremy as he begins to unpick the confused thoughts and feelings he has about his painful past. Unsure of what is real and what is misconstrued, Jeremy tentatively revisits relationships damaged by his illness, most significantly with his brother and fellow band member Peter. With the support of his partner Mary, Jeremy also struggles with the physical ravages of his illness and years of a destructive lifestyle as well as the many relationship challenges they face as they prepare for marriage.
Told largely from his own perspective, THE SUNNYBOY follows Jeremy as his confidence and wellbeing slowly grows and he dares to contemplate a return to the stage. An enlightening exploration of one man’s experience of a misunderstood and stigmatised condition, THE SUNNYBOY is an inspiring story of hope, survival and the healing power of unconditional love.
Catherine Croll (Director of Cultural Partnerships Australia) will have on display her studio and session photographs of the Sunnyboys taken in the eighties and nineties
Speakers also include; former professional surfer and 3PTM founder Paul Parkes, Camel Loughland; a leading schizophrenia researcher from the University of Newcastle and the band DOG ACT will perform a live version of the Sunnyboys hit single ‘Alone with you’.
Click here to download a flyer.
Carers NSW will be providing free tickets to carers as noted on flyer. Carers will need free ticket recipients to register with us via phone on 9289 4280 to secure tickets.
As you will see we have a local young carers band playing on the evening so hoping to appeal to the younger crowd also. For the general public there is a $10.00 fee and tickets are available for purchase on Sticky tickets.