Inspiring Documentary Returns to Des Moines

“A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" Returns For Full Week To Fleur Cinema – Des Moines, Iowa

After a very successful recent screening, the inspiring feature-length documentary “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” is returning to The Fleur Cinema & Café for a full week long theatrical run starting this Friday October 30 through November 5.

Winner of the #1 Audience Favorite Award at five film festivals in a row, “A Friend Indeed” has been surprising and delighting viewers with its powerful story of human compassion and incredible range of heartfelt emotion.

The documentary tells the true story of Bill Sackter who was institutionalized for over four decades for mild mental retardation, and his friendship with Barry Morrow (Academy Award Winning Screenwriter for “Rain Man”) who in real life as a young college student took the unprecedented step of becoming Bill’s legal guardian to keep Bill from being sent back to the institution.

Their friendship, Bill’s positive outlook on life and his eventual rise to international fame was chronicled in the highly successful made-for-tv movie “Bill” (1981) starring Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid, and Morrow’s screenplay for the production also won him an Emmy Award.

But Barry Morrow’s original intention of creating a real life documentary about Bill Sackter (using the hours of film and video footage and hundreds of photographs he captured of Bill during his life) would have to wait for over two decades until Barry met Iowa filmmaker Lane Wyrick and entrusted him to complete this project that was so dear to his heart.

Wyrick spent the next 8 years editing the archival footage along with filming new interviews of Barry Morrow and many others who were close to Bill. He also closely collaborated with Hollywood-trained composer Peter Bloesch who created a very rich and emotional full orchestral music score for the production.

“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” has been praised for retaining its documentary authenticity while having an entertaining quality more akin to a Hollywood movie. Wyrick’s groundbreaking hybrid style is very unique, and the film is filled with lots of humor and is ultimately very inspiring, but a box of Kleenex is also highly recommended!

Don’t miss your chance to see firsthand why “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” is becoming the grassroots hit for moviegoers looking for a very positive, inspirational experience that will touch their hearts, and that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Even if you have never heard of Bill Sackter, by the end of this film you will know and care for him like a close friend!

“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”

LOCATION: The Fleur Cinema & Café, 4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa

Screening October 30 Through November 5

For showtimes, visit: http://www.fleurcinema.com

Tickets are just $8 for General Admission (Matinees, Seniors & Children are $6) and are available at the door.

For more information about Bill Sackter and “A Friend Indeed” and for reviews and video clips, please visit http://www.BillSackter.com.

Bill Sackter Documentary Blog - Welcome!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the official blog for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" a new feature length documentary about the real Bill Sackter. This new blog can be found and read on the web at http://billsackter.blogspot.com.

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Bill's Story:

Abandoned in an institution for 44 years, Bill Sackter would never see his family again. Forgotten and alone, his life changed through the help and friendship of a young college student, Barry Morrow and several other caring individuals.

With a harmonica, a warm cup of coffee, and an incredible embrace of life, Bill transformed from a neglected individual into a national hero for the disability community.

An inspiring real-life documentary about hope, compassion, and the power of friendship.

Bill Sackter first meets
young Barry Morrow (1972)

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The Documentary Begins

I am a documentary filmmaker, and back in 2001 I was premiering my half-hour documentary "The Nazi Drawings" at the Directors Guild Theater in Los Angeles.

There, I was approached by Barry Morrow (Academy Award "Rain Man" Screenplay), who was intimately involved with Bill Sackter's life with the opportunity to edit some footage taken of him giving a standup performance talking about his life with Bill Sackter.

Many of the events in Bill and Barry's life took place in Iowa City where I live, so it afforded me the opportunity to get to know the major players in Bill's life. One of them was Tom Walz who directed the Univ. of Iowa School of Social Work and gave Bill a job at a coffee shop.

Bill Sackter and Barry Morrow

Working with Tom and Barry, I realized there was an incredible amount of source material (photographs, film and video footage of Bill), and learned of the powerful and heartwarming story behind Bill's life. I soon realized this would make a great feature length documentary.

Over the past 7 years, I did a huge amount of research on Bill's life, and created a 33 page outline of every article, fact, tidbit, etc. Along the way I made many great discoveries: an audio cassette recording of Bill's funeral, hours of Super 8 film and video footage taken by Barry Morrow of Bill, and all the while I videotaped hours of interviews with all of the people closest to Bill including some people that no one knew were around.

After hundreds of hours of editing, several test screenings, and continuous refinements of the final production, I can now say that the documentary is complete. "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" is a 90 minute production that is like an emotional roller coaster, with very funny scenes, powerful serious emotion and ultimately a very inspiring message of the power of human compassion.

Currently I am planning a screening in Iowa City this summer (2008) that will either serve as the World Premiere or at least the Iowa Premiere (if it were to Premiere in a major festival before that date).

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The Official Blog

This blog will chronicle the major events that will happen over the next few months with the documentary, like premiere screenings, film festivals, television broadcast, DVD availability, as well as many other topics.

Official Poster for Documentary

If you are receiving this message by email, then you are already subscribed to the Bill Documentary email list.

If you came directly to this site, then I encourage you to sign up for the email list using the form at the top right of the Blogger screen, or you can also subscribe at the official website of the documentary www.BillSackter.com (just select the "Email List" tab). This way you will receive the blog updates.

Also, the reason I ask for your State (and Country) on the email list signup is so that I can get an indication of the demographic spread and make sure to target an email to you if there will be any screenings in your area.

In the meantime, if you have any comments, suggestions, ideas for screening venues in your area, or anything else, please leave your comments below, or email me at Lane@BillSackter.com.

Take care and have a great week!

All the best,

Lane Wyrick, Director/Editor
"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"
www.BillSackter.com


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