“Look with more than your eyes, look with your heart and soul. Then, my friends, you will find true magic.”
“The Child King” is a movie that follows two brothers from Jacksonville, FL on a mission to find Santa Claus. The younger of the two, Jarret, questions Santa’s existence, while the older brother, Jeremy, who has Down’s Syndrome, has his mind set on proving to Jarret that he does.
The boys set off on a trip to the North Pole to find Santa, and continuously find themselves in interesting situations - from their car being towed, to a conflict in a biker bar, and even seeing Santa at an airport - always watched over by a strangely familiar looking man with a white beard…
“The Child King” is one of those movies that warms your heart while making you giggle. Entertaining and inspiring, it’s a movie you’ll want to watch every year during the Christmas season.
For a giggle, here’s one of my favorite scenes in the movie.
Jarret - Is that ok if we just drop in on Santa?
Jeremy - Why are you so concerned about our manners? I thought you didn’t believe in him.
Jarret - I don’t, but maybe we should call ahead.
Jeremy - I don’t think he has a phone, he can never sleep.
The story’s writer and producer, Jeff Kerr, was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to make this movie?
I’m the dad of two magnificent kids, Kayce and Luke. I grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, third of four children of an extremely close family. Both parents were US Marines. I work as a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF&E). I have a beautiful girlfriend named Mara.
I was inspired by a thousand individuals with intellectual disabilities. As a volunteer at Special Olympics events or Law Enforcement Torch runs to support those with intellectual disabilities, I was priveliged to mingle in this community and was overwhelmed by the warmth of everyone. Talk about a loving society, it oozes out of every soul at these events, participants and fans alike.
I set out to write a story that would stay with my children and teach them simple lessons of faith, love, trust and kindness. I also wanted to instill in them a sense of adventure. Being a Christmas nut, the germ of a story materialized with some daydreaming, and before I knew it I had a story in my head, less one major component - my hero. On the way to Waco, Texas for work during the Waco Siege, my SWAT team was being seen off by family and friends. One participant was the young son of a fellow agent. He was Joey Granatino, a young three year old with Down syndrome. He was amazing, sweet, smart, and just what I needed, full of love and trust. Bingo - my hero stood right there before me as I got on the bus to take my team to the airport headed for Waco, Texas.
While in Waco, I spent my time writing when I had breaks or time off. By the time I came home I’d scribbled an entire story.
Can you tell us more about Peter Johnson and Will Kellem, the main characters in the movie?
Peter plays Jeremy West, older brother of Jarret. The character Peter plays has Down syndrome, though Peter I think could have played any role. He hails from Scituate, Massachusetts and is quite the jock. He excels at sports and has numerous Special Olympics medals. He kicks my butt in pool, basketball, and push-ups. He is the son of Jane and Charlie Johnson and older brother and unknowing teacher of life to his younger siblings, brother Casey and sister Lucy. Peter is an ambassador for the Special Olympics, often speaking before events. Ladies dig him and guys want to be him. He’s a beautiful young man with a heart full of hugs.
Will is Jarret, the young son in the movie. He hails from Hingham, Massachusetts and is the son of Steven and Katie Kellem. He has an older brother, Matthew. Like Peter, Will never acted but pulled this all off because of his and Peter’s intelligence and natural chemistry. Will has the advantage in life of working side by side with a diverse personality like Peter. It can do nothing but make him a finer person in his life and he’s already an amazing young boy to start. He, like Peter, is a jock and likes to knock heads on the various fields of competition.
Did you have to interview many children before finding Peter and Will?
I interviewed one child - Peter - and knew it was right. At first he was terribly shy and would not look at me or speak. He sat and listened. When he finally looked up, he smiled and read a few lines. I was on the phone to my brother, the director, saying, “Hey you have to see this young man read if his family is interested.” Lucky for me, they were.
There is a noticeable connection between the boys in the movie - almost as if they are really brothers. Was this connection maintained off set?
Yes, we spent long days together and did many sleep-overs. Sometimes at Peter’s home, sometimes Will’s home and sometimes at my condo in Boston. We were a family, so what you see is completely real.
Was it difficult working with an actor with Down’s Syndrome, especially considering he played such an integral character in the movie?
My brother, the director and editor, told me at the beginning that we had a number of strikes working against us. No money, a traveling movie, two children playing our lead roles who possessed no acting experience and one actor with an intellectual disability. We could very easily fall flat on our faces. I can only tell you how relieved I was when Peter and Will nailed the first scene and all watching were laughing and completely charmed. On the way home that first night my brother said, “You are one lucky SOB. We might just pull this off.”
What is the main lesson you want children to learn from this movie?
Believe in magical things, have faith, especially in yourself, seek adventure, and live a kind and loving life. Most of all know …. limitations exist in the minds of others.
Do you believe kids can make a difference in our world?
Yes because they grow up to be you and me.
One last question: What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
I want so badly for someone like an Oprah or an Ellen to find out about our movie and help us promote it by putting Peter on their show. If that can happen, our sales, which are only by word of mouth, will, I believe, multiply by the thousands and the TCK Foundation will flourish. Then I can spend the rest of my days with a proverbial red bag slung over my shoulder filled with foundation grants for so many folks and organizations in need of help… How’s that for a wish!
I’d like to thank Jeff for taking the time to answer my questions! We hope you have a Merry Christmas!
To purchase a copy of “The Child King,” visit The Child King.com. All producer’s profits from DVD sales and 100% of merchandise sales are donated to the Child King Foundation, which “administers funds and disburses grants to organizations, charities and individuals that assist those with intellectual disabilities.”
Giveaway!
We’ve got a copy of “The Child King” to give to one lucky winner, just in time for it to become one of your favorites for the holiday season!
To enter, comment on this post answering this question: What is the one thing you want the most this Christmas?
Entrants must live in the continental U.S.
Contest ends at Midnight EST on December 10 2008.
“The Child King” is a movie that follows two brothers from Jacksonville, FL on a mission to find Santa Claus. The younger of the two, Jarret, questions Santa’s existence, while the older brother, Jeremy, who has Down’s Syndrome, has his mind set on proving to Jarret that he does.
The boys set off on a trip to the North Pole to find Santa, and continuously find themselves in interesting situations - from their car being towed, to a conflict in a biker bar, and even seeing Santa at an airport - always watched over by a strangely familiar looking man with a white beard…
“The Child King” is one of those movies that warms your heart while making you giggle. Entertaining and inspiring, it’s a movie you’ll want to watch every year during the Christmas season.
For a giggle, here’s one of my favorite scenes in the movie.
Jarret - Is that ok if we just drop in on Santa?
Jeremy - Why are you so concerned about our manners? I thought you didn’t believe in him.
Jarret - I don’t, but maybe we should call ahead.
Jeremy - I don’t think he has a phone, he can never sleep.
The story’s writer and producer, Jeff Kerr, was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to make this movie?
I’m the dad of two magnificent kids, Kayce and Luke. I grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, third of four children of an extremely close family. Both parents were US Marines. I work as a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF&E). I have a beautiful girlfriend named Mara.
I was inspired by a thousand individuals with intellectual disabilities. As a volunteer at Special Olympics events or Law Enforcement Torch runs to support those with intellectual disabilities, I was priveliged to mingle in this community and was overwhelmed by the warmth of everyone. Talk about a loving society, it oozes out of every soul at these events, participants and fans alike.
I set out to write a story that would stay with my children and teach them simple lessons of faith, love, trust and kindness. I also wanted to instill in them a sense of adventure. Being a Christmas nut, the germ of a story materialized with some daydreaming, and before I knew it I had a story in my head, less one major component - my hero. On the way to Waco, Texas for work during the Waco Siege, my SWAT team was being seen off by family and friends. One participant was the young son of a fellow agent. He was Joey Granatino, a young three year old with Down syndrome. He was amazing, sweet, smart, and just what I needed, full of love and trust. Bingo - my hero stood right there before me as I got on the bus to take my team to the airport headed for Waco, Texas.
While in Waco, I spent my time writing when I had breaks or time off. By the time I came home I’d scribbled an entire story.
Can you tell us more about Peter Johnson and Will Kellem, the main characters in the movie?
Peter plays Jeremy West, older brother of Jarret. The character Peter plays has Down syndrome, though Peter I think could have played any role. He hails from Scituate, Massachusetts and is quite the jock. He excels at sports and has numerous Special Olympics medals. He kicks my butt in pool, basketball, and push-ups. He is the son of Jane and Charlie Johnson and older brother and unknowing teacher of life to his younger siblings, brother Casey and sister Lucy. Peter is an ambassador for the Special Olympics, often speaking before events. Ladies dig him and guys want to be him. He’s a beautiful young man with a heart full of hugs.
Will is Jarret, the young son in the movie. He hails from Hingham, Massachusetts and is the son of Steven and Katie Kellem. He has an older brother, Matthew. Like Peter, Will never acted but pulled this all off because of his and Peter’s intelligence and natural chemistry. Will has the advantage in life of working side by side with a diverse personality like Peter. It can do nothing but make him a finer person in his life and he’s already an amazing young boy to start. He, like Peter, is a jock and likes to knock heads on the various fields of competition.
Did you have to interview many children before finding Peter and Will?
I interviewed one child - Peter - and knew it was right. At first he was terribly shy and would not look at me or speak. He sat and listened. When he finally looked up, he smiled and read a few lines. I was on the phone to my brother, the director, saying, “Hey you have to see this young man read if his family is interested.” Lucky for me, they were.
There is a noticeable connection between the boys in the movie - almost as if they are really brothers. Was this connection maintained off set?
Yes, we spent long days together and did many sleep-overs. Sometimes at Peter’s home, sometimes Will’s home and sometimes at my condo in Boston. We were a family, so what you see is completely real.
Was it difficult working with an actor with Down’s Syndrome, especially considering he played such an integral character in the movie?
My brother, the director and editor, told me at the beginning that we had a number of strikes working against us. No money, a traveling movie, two children playing our lead roles who possessed no acting experience and one actor with an intellectual disability. We could very easily fall flat on our faces. I can only tell you how relieved I was when Peter and Will nailed the first scene and all watching were laughing and completely charmed. On the way home that first night my brother said, “You are one lucky SOB. We might just pull this off.”
What is the main lesson you want children to learn from this movie?
Believe in magical things, have faith, especially in yourself, seek adventure, and live a kind and loving life. Most of all know …. limitations exist in the minds of others.
Do you believe kids can make a difference in our world?
Yes because they grow up to be you and me.
One last question: What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
I want so badly for someone like an Oprah or an Ellen to find out about our movie and help us promote it by putting Peter on their show. If that can happen, our sales, which are only by word of mouth, will, I believe, multiply by the thousands and the TCK Foundation will flourish. Then I can spend the rest of my days with a proverbial red bag slung over my shoulder filled with foundation grants for so many folks and organizations in need of help… How’s that for a wish!
I’d like to thank Jeff for taking the time to answer my questions! We hope you have a Merry Christmas!
To purchase a copy of “The Child King,” visit The Child King.com. All producer’s profits from DVD sales and 100% of merchandise sales are donated to the Child King Foundation, which “administers funds and disburses grants to organizations, charities and individuals that assist those with intellectual disabilities.”
Giveaway!
We’ve got a copy of “The Child King” to give to one lucky winner, just in time for it to become one of your favorites for the holiday season!
To enter, comment on this post answering this question: What is the one thing you want the most this Christmas?
Entrants must live in the continental U.S.
Contest ends at Midnight EST on December 10 2008.