"A Friend Indeed" to screen at City High School This Thursday

Winner of the #1 Audience Favorite Award at five film festivals in a row, an inspiring new documentary will have a special screening at City High School's Opstad Auditorium on Thursday October 22 at 7 p.m. "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" was created by award-winning filmmaker Lane Wyrick (a 1985 City High Grad). He will introduce the screening and host a Q&A and Filmmaker Presentation afterwards.

"A Friend Indeed" is an amazing and entertaining real-life documentary about people and events that happened right here in Iowa City!!! Tickets to the event are just $8 and are available at the door.

This special screening is sponsored by City High's Drama Department who will benefit from every ticket sold.

If you are on Facebook, please let us know if you're coming and help by inviting all your Facebook friends by going here: http://www.facebook.com/BillSackter#/event.php?eid=150721442809&index=1

The Background:

In 1981, actor Mickey Rooney portrayed Bill Sackter's life in the highly successful television drama "Bill", which depicted Bill's unique relationship with young college student Barry Morrow (played by Dennis Quaid). Their friendship developed shortly after Bill's release from Faribault Institution in Minnesota where he had spent 44 years of his life for mild mental retardation. Barry's compassion for Bill and deep concern for his situation led him to taking the unprecedented step of becoming Bill's legal guardian to keep Bill from being sent back to the institution.

This new documentary "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" gives viewers the opportunity to know the real Bill Sackter, Barry Morrow and many others who were close to Bill, in an entertaining production full of heart and emotion. The 90-minute feature length production uses actual film and video footage and photos of Bill (captured in the 1970's and 80's by Barry Morrow and others), along with interviews with the people closest to Bill, filmed more recently by Wyrick, who also edited the production.

During the final years of Bill's life, his positive attitude, passion for the harmonica, and enthusiastic embrace of everyone he met began to get Bill noticed. As proprietor of "Wild Bill's Coffee Shop" on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Bill's striking personality led to his rise as a local "celebrity", and eventually to his becoming a national leader in a movement that helped normalize peoples' reactions to people with disabilities. He was honored with many awards and was even invited as a guest at the White House, all the while retaining his humble and caring personality and love for all people, especially children.

A Groundbreaking Documentary:

"A Friend Indeed" is filled with lots of emotion, evoking laughter, tears, and ultimately leaving audiences with a feeling of real inspiration. And it shows how a little care and attention can truly transform someone's life and enrich us all. The emotion of the film is greatly enhanced by the full orchestral music score created by Hollywood-trained composer Peter Bloesch who closely collaborated with Wyrick throughout the production to interweave the rich music score seamlessly into the fabric of the story.

At every screening "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" has been enjoyed by moviegoers that are looking for a very positive, inspirational experience that will touch their hearts.

For complete details, please visit http://www.BillSackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/BillSackter

Location: City High School's Opstad Auditorium - 1900 Morningside Drive - Iowa City, Iowa