This Indie Darling Gives Major Studio Films a Run for Their Money

By Shelly Aucoin

“Some days I wake up and everything’s normal. Things make sense. Birds chirp, people drive ~ simple is simple. Most days, though, I feel the earth tip off its axis. Nobody else seems to notice this. But nobody notices anything anymore.” ~Aloe

Four years in the making, Sunblocked, a  refreshing indie dramedy starring Shannon Carter, Alyssa Freedman, Nate Lopez, and Chris McGilvary,  takes the mundane events of everyday life and stands them on their heads.

Supported by a quirky cast of characters, our protagonist is a realist to the nth degree. Having been burned by love she seems hopelessly jaded towards the people and places surrounding her. Or is she?

Among the list of things she doesn’t understand: her name, military time, poor tipping, clapping, politics, time zones, twins, her seven year old brother, celebrity salaries and ~ most of all ~ romance. 

Aloe (Shannon Carter) struggles with the daily challenges of a crummy job, a crazy family and a broken heart with the help of her best friend Derek (Chris McGilvary). Things get even more complicated when new guy Frank (Nate Lopez) enters the picture and her life is turned upside down. Aloe must decide whether to take another chance on love or keep up the walls she’s worked so hard to build.

Writer/director Jessica Saccardo demonstrates a profound understanding of the inner workings of relationships as she takes us on a charming trip through the delights and frustrations of youth.

Both Saccardo and cinematographer Gregory Cook worked on the Worcester- based children’s show Catch the Science Bug. Their collaborative genius on Sunblocked takes them to the next level, proving once again that Worcester grows some of the most creative talent around. The film’s October 1 premier at AMC Loews in Harvard Square sold out less than two weeks after it was announced.

Although this is her first starring role, Shannon Carte’s no stranger to the big screen. She also worked on films including Surrogates, The Social Network, What’s Your Number and Ricky Gervais’ The Invention of Lying. She even appeared in People and Entertainment Weekly alongside Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson for her role in Bride Wars. Shannon was most recently a guest on the” Matty in the Morning” show on KISS 108.

Sunblocked delivers clever sarcasm and acerbic wit through moving performances from a talented cast ~ a much needed reprieve from the big box failures of the year.

Check out the trailer on the official Sunblocked web page at:
www.myspace.com/sunblockedmovie,
get an additional sneak peak at:
www.ourfilmspace.com/video/sunblocked-teaser-trailer-1,
and see photos of the premiere at:
www.flickr.com/photos/charlessaulters/sets/72157624958928087/

Pictured:  Director and  Writer Jessica Saccardo Cook (left) and Lead Actress and Producer Shannon Carter (right). Photo by Joseph Cote.