Joel Smallbone on Playing His Dad in ‘Unsung Hero’ – and Upcoming Tour
By: Steff Willis
Unsung Hero tells the story of the Australian family that risked it all, yet grew not one, but two Grammy Award-winning artists: Rebecca St James and Joel and Luke from for KING + COUNTRY.
When David Smallbone’s (played by for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) successful music company collapses, he moves his family to America. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David and his pregnant wife Helen (played by Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Unsung Hero has already reached No.2 in the charts in the States and is set to release in Australia and New Zealand on May 30th, 2024.
Writer, Actor and Director, Joel Smallbone of for KING + COUNTRY, spoke about the response to the film and the band’s role in retelling their family story.
“This is really an Aussie film at heart,” Joel said. “It’s our mum and dad’s migration story coming from Australia. Dad lost everything on a tour in the early nineties.
“So, it starts literally at the Sydney Opera House and then, Mum and Dad sort of decide that they’re going to pack 16 suitcases, six kids, she’s pregnant with our seventh sibling, and move halfway around the world.”
“It’s very much our story, but it’s more a story about faith, a story about family, about mums, a story about miracles.” Joel Smallbone, for KING + COUNTRY
Luke Smallbone was an executor producer for the film, and Joel portrays his Dad, David Smallbone, and described the experience as rewarding but trippy.
“You’re looking at… little boy Joel, but you’re Joel, but you’re your dad,” Joel explained.
“Then Daisy Betts (Helen Smallbone) who lives in Brisbane, she came over to the States for five weeks to film with us. So, you’re you, but this is your mum, but it’s not your mum and you’ve got to kiss your mum.”
“Like I said, it’s been trippy, but really thrilled. We’ve never worked harder on a project, arguably, in our life.”
The cinema release of Unsung Hero coincides with the Homecoming tour which will see the band visit Australia for the first time since 2019.
For KING + COUNTRY begin in New Zealand mid May, and wrap things up in Australia in early June.
“On every level, this just feels like such a serendipitous homecoming,” Joel said.
“My whole family’s gonna be down there for it. I’m having my birthday down in Australia this year for the first time since I was like, you know, seven years old. So, it really does feel like a genuine homecoming.”
Tickets are still available for the for KING + COUNTRY Homecoming Tour.
Article supplied with thanks to 96five.
Images supplied by Faith Media.
