Tri-Cites Now Story

They’ve gone to the mat time and time again to help fight poverty, but this weekend wrestlers with the  Elite Canadian Wrestling Championship (ECCW) company are turning the lens toward another issue that’s affected one of their own. The company is helping to organize and film a short movie called The Weirdo Hero, a loosely biographical story focused on depression that’s being filmed this weekend in Vancouver. The story line follows a fictional ECCW character named Fabulous Frankie Myers, whose descent into depression begins spiraling out of control shortly after he wins a championship bout awarding him the ECCW championship belt.
While fictional, the story is inspired by the life of current ECCW wrestler Randy Myers, who has been living with the condition for more than three decades. “There’s two very clear messages in what we’re doing,” said Derek Hird, the film’s producer. “The film is there to help people understand what it’s like living with depression — for those who don’t understand, it’s for them. And when someone with depression watches this it’s for them to realize that it’s OK to ask for help and not be ashamed.” Company owner and PoCo resident Mary Diaz noted ECCW wrestlers are all donating their time to be part of the film, while also lending logistical support and donating equipment. Diaz’s company stages an annual event in PoCo each winter called Wrestling With Hunger to support SHARE’s food bank, and lending support to the upcoming film shoot serves as another example of trying to help those in the community who need it. “I hope that people will talk about their problems and get the help that they need,” she said. “They shouldn’t feel alone. There are always people out there who can help, even it’s just being able to call someone up and have a chat — regardless of if that chat is for no particular reason or if someone is reaching out to ask for help.” Both the company and the filmmakers are also asking for help, in terms of financing the project and filling seats for this week’s film shoot.
Read the full article on the Tri-Cites Now Website http://www.thenownews.com/news/film-shines-a-light-on-depression-1.1791017
John Kurucz / Tri-Cities Now March 12, 2015 04:24 PM
 
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