By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 31, 2011) US Soccer Players -- The journey of how Jay DeMerit rose from a pub player to starting at the last World Cup is coming to a theater near you. After spending the year successfully raising money to secure the rights to use footage of DeMerit playing in England and at the World Cup, the documentary “Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story” will be shown on movie screens across the country starting this Thursday.
The indie film recently scored a distribution deal, meaning the story of DeMerit’s meteoric rise will be seen by a mainstream audience after filmmakers Nick Lewis and Ranko Tutulugdzija screened it to small crowds of mostly soccer fans during their fundraising efforts over the past year. The ambitious project to recount how DeMerit left his home in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 2003 with just $1,800 and a dream of playing in England’s Premier League took on a life of its own.
What resulted was the parallel story of a movie trying for equally improbable success – eventually raising $225,000 in Kickstarter contributions (they needed $215,000) to pay for the rights to use footage of DeMerit playing in the Premiership and for the USA at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. An Internet campaign, fueled by Facebook, helped spread the word that the movie deserved a shot at being seen by a mass audience.
“(The distribution deal) means a lot and increases our responsibilities. The film would not be here without the support of the soccer community,” Lewis said. “We owe everyone who has helped in any way a great deal and now we are working hard to fully get the message out. We have an amazing opportunity and are doing everything we can to get the word out in the last few days.”
The film will open in 133 theaters all across the country. In DeMerit’s home state of Wisconsin, the documentary will be screened at 12 theaters. The film will also be shown in all US markets that currently have an MLS franchise. For a full list of theaters, visit riseandshinemove.com.
Lewis said even DeMerit was stunned by the announcement that they had gotten a distribution deal.
“He has always said it isn't about him but about the journey. With all that said, I still don’t think he completely gets how big it has become."
Over the summer, the filmmakers got a call from the Los Angeles-based D&E Entertainment, who decided last month to distribute the 92-minute documentary. D&E Entertainment’s co-founder Doug Kluthe said he was impressed by the passion Lewis and Tutulugdzija showed. After its US release, D&G Entertainment has said it plans to distribute the film in the United Kingdom and other international markets.
“Their grassroots success should help pave a road for other documentary and independent filmmakers," Kluthe said.
Lewis, a lawyer, said the deal is a culmination of all the work that has been done over the last few years.
“It felt really good because of the way that the film came about we definitely haven’t taken anything for granted. We have had one hurdle after another and this was a huge hurdle. This is all new to us and we were very lucky we found a great partner to distribute the film with. They are allowing us to continue to work hand-in-hand in getting the word out. What felt even better was when they sent us the list of theaters it was going to be playing in. We didn’t really know what to expect, especially because it is an independent documentary. But when they sent us the list and it was in over 130 theaters including the AMC in Times Square, ArcLight in Hollywood and my local theater, I was blown away. I remember calling Jay right away and he had just seen the list as well and we both were speechless.”
Most soccer fans know the story of how DeMerit went from playing in England’s lower divisions to the Premiership to the National Team. The story of how DeMerit reached the pinnacle of his profession was fit for the silver screen. It is a typical underdog tale, with a soccer twist, of how the defender started his career with the Chicago Fire’s development team to toiling in obscurity with English side Northwood FC in England’s seventh division. His success on the field eventually led him to sign with Watford, where he helped the club earn promotion to the Premiership in 2006. His dream of playing in England’s top flight had been achieved after years of struggle and sacrifice.
“We have actually had an amazing response from non-soccer fans as well so far. From at least the ones that have seen it, we have gotten great reviews,” Lewis said. “One friend commented that she doesn’t watch sports but loved the movie. I think people really are able to identify with Jay and his humble demeanor as well as his family. We were lucky to have very articulate, likeable and very funny characters guiding the audience through the film. On top of that I think it is a universal story of self-belief, determination and reaching your dreams. That is our goal, to broaden soccer – and we hope this film can play a part in that.”
To think, DeMerit didn’t even want a film about him to be made, the filmmakers recalled.
“At first, Jay wasn’t too into the film because he didn’t want to have a film made about him. He didn’t like the aspect of going out and self-promoting,” said Lewis. “But throughout the process he became very involved. It happened during our Kickstarter campaign to raise additional funds. He saw the impact the story had on others, people all over getting involved with their time, money and creativity. At that point, he basically said he would do whatever it takes to get it out because it does have a positive effect on others and inspires them.”
Lewis said he would watch the film Thursday at the ArcLight Hollywood theater, getting his Premier League moment after so much struggle to make this film happen. As the tagline on the movie poster reads, it's "the fight for a dream."
Clemente Lisi is a New York-based writer. Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ClementeLisi
