Future:Media:Change

Rudely Interrupted United Nations gig

As Sarah Palin slams Family Guy for making a joke referencing the fact that her son has Down syndrome, the rockumentary Rudely Interrupted about a truly unique Australian indie rock band celebrates the achievement and relentless spirit of a group of friends with disabilities.

Rudely Interrupted is band a little out of the ordinary and yet in this movie they come across just like any bunch of rockers. Five out of six members of the band share a range of both physical and intellectual disabilities, including blindness, deafness, Aspergers, autism and Down syndrome. They also share a strong common interest in self-expression through music which is beautifully captured in this movie following the band on their first international tour from Australia, to New York, Canada and the UK.

I really enjoyed this film. Made on a shoe-string budget, it’s an honest film that portrays the band and each member of the band in a very personal, deep and funny way. You really feel you get to know these guys; their humor and struggles, intrigues and deep love and respect for each. (Check out the complete profiles of each band member.)

Rory was born without eyes, with Asperger syndrome and perfect pitch. But most of all, he’s the charismatic front-man of the band, providing poetic reflections on the ups and downs of life throughout the film. He is also the media-favorite, which at times creates tensions (where have we heard that before…). In a classic Almost FamousAlmost Famous reviews -style scene Marcus, the synth player (Asperger and deaf), gets it all off his chest when Rory leaves for yet another interview, this time with MTV! Luckily all is well in the end when Rory and Rohan (the only band member with no disabilities) give every band member a proper shout out on live TV.

Rudely Interrupted are guys who want to make it big, and they will. They inspire their audiences wherever they go, from a Williamsburg hipster bar to the United Nations, showing that anything is possible as long as you get the opportunity to try. The band’s excellent drummer Josh, sums up the seriousness of  their situation when arriving in the US: “New York man, this is where all the big ones come”. And they act big, with real rock-and-roll life style culminating in bad-ass bass player Sam’s (Down Syndrome) hangover and vomiting after too many beers at their Bristol gig (“I had two” he says…).

So go check out this band and start pestering your local cinema to put in a screening of this remarkable, yet so classic movie about a rock band who wants to make it big. Stardom might come, but regardless these guys have already made it big time! Their achievements, both personally and musically are truly extraordinary. Big shout out to the band and the movie makers!

Watch the first 4 minutes and 36 seconds of the rocumentary here.