RISE & SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY recounts the journey of an undistinguished soccer player who chased his dream to the ultimate goal..
Soccer Club to Screen Internationally Acclaimed Film
April 22, 2012
By: MyBayCity Staff
Bay City, MI - Every athlete, from the weekend warrior to the youngsters stepping onto
their first field of play, has a secret hope of one day making it to the top of their sport.
RISE & SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY recounts the journey of an undistinguished soccer player
who chased his dream to the ultimate goal. A documentary about the power of a dream, RISE &
SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY will be screened on April 29th
at 3pm at The State Theatre as a benefit for Bay City Central High School Varsity Teams and as an inspiration for the dreamer in all of us.
Jay DeMerit had drawn attention as a high school and college soccer player, but after
graduating from University of Illinois, Chicago, was passed over in the Major League Soccer
draft. While most would accept this conclusion, Jay did not. Instead he moved to Europe to
pursue his sport on a bigger stage. Doggedly and single-mindedly working his way up from the
lowest levels of English "football" to captaining England's Watford FC team and securing a spot
on the 2009 US World Cup team, DeMerit's Cinderella story is one of determination, focus and
what can be accomplished when one believes.
A Truth2Life Productions film, RISE & SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY is the
creation of filmmakers Ranko Tutulugdzija and Nick Lewis. The 92-minute documentary
includes international game footage, interviews with DeMerit's coaches, teammates, family and friends, along with appearances by soccer stars Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba and Landon
Donovan.
The $223,000 project was completely funded through grassroots public support and
donations, the most ever raised via "crowd funding" for an independent film. "There were many
hurdles along the way that could have stopped us dead, like having to send our 23-year old
cameraman/cinematographer to South Africa for the World Cup on his own because of financial
constraints," said filmmaker Nick Lewis. "But we feel the project is truly blessed, that it is a film
for all ages and one that has the power to inspire. It's not just for those who love soccer, but for
anyone who has a dream."
RISE & SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY has received overwhelmingly positive
reviews from its showings across the US and abroad and is now also available on DVD.
The Bay
City Central High School Varsity Teams will show the film on April 29
th
at 3pm at The State
Theatre of Bay City. Tickets are $5 each and proceeds will benefit maintenance and equipment
needs.
DeMerit is currently captain of Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps. For more
information about Jay and RISE & SHINE: THE JAY DEMERIT STORY, visit
www.JayDeMeritStory.com
To learn more about the event, please visit: http://jaydemeritstory.com/bay-city-mi-rise-shine-thejay-demerit-story-showing/
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