By: Steff Willis
JJ Pantano portrays a young Luke Smallbone in Unsung Hero, a story that chronicles the challenges and eventual triumphs of the Smallbone family, who went on to produce Grammy award-winning artists Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke from for KING & COUNTRY.
JJ Pantano is a rising Australian actor and comedian who gained national attention on “Australia’s Got Talent” at the age of 7 with his roast style comedic act before making waves in the United States on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.”
While the movie focusses on David and Helen Smallbone and the early days of Rebecca Smallbone’s (Rebecca St James) career, you can’t help keeping an eye on JJ Pantano and Diesel La Torraca who portray Luke and Joel Smallbone.
JJ spoke in an interview about what it was like working with and portraying Luke Smallbone and what he learnt working on the movie.
“When I saw it for the first time, I was overrun with emotions” JJ said. “It was everything I wanted it to be and more. It made the person who’s watching the film feel like they’re in their story.
“It was so in depth, and they certainly didn’t shy away from all the downsides and all the negatives in their massive rollercoaster.”
The joy of making the film wasn’t confined to the scenes themselves. JJ, along with his Dad and co-stars Diesel La Torraca (Joel Smallbone) and Tenz McCall (Ben Smallbone), engaged in a friendly pool tournament initiated by none other than Joel Smallbone.
“Joel hears us talking about pool on set one day and says, ‘Okay, how do you feel about a pool tournament?’ It was Joel, my dad, and Richard Ramsey, one of the directors. It was so fun.”
Along with pool tournaments, and sitting in the hairdresser’s chair for hours recreating Luke’s curls, JJ learnt a lot about the importance of family.
“What I really learnt through the film is that with your family in your corner and with God on your side, you can do anything.
“My dad always used to say, ‘You have to work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God.’ And that’s how you get your dreams.”
Unsung Hero is rated PG and is in cinemas now.
Article supplied with thanks to 96five.
Feature image: