Oliver Ferraro was the older brother of Anthony Ferraro, a blind wrestler who became the subject of a documentary film called “A Shot in the Dark”. Oliver was the one who initiated the film project, as he wanted to tell his brother’s inspirational story of overcoming his disability and pursuing his passion for wrestling.
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A Shot in the Dark: The Film That Oliver Started
Oliver Ferraro had filmed and edited a two-minute teaser for the documentary in 2011, and posted it on FloWrestling, a website for wrestling fans. He hoped to attract the attention of someone who could help him make the film. His wish came true when Chris Suchorsky, a former wrestler and a film producer, contacted him on Facebook and offered to collaborate with him.
Suchorsky and Oliver followed Anthony Ferraro’s journey as a senior at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, New Jersey, where he was a two-time district champion and a 100-match winner. They filmed his matches, his practices, his interactions with his coaches and teammates, and his personal struggles and triumphs. They also interviewed Anthony, his family, his friends, and his opponents, to get a deeper insight into his character and his motivation.
The filming concluded in 2013, but the editing and post-production were put on hold due to other priorities for both Suchorsky and Oliver.
Oliver Ferraro’s Sudden Death: A Devastating Blow for the Film and the Family
In the summer of 2015, Suchorsky reached out to Oliver again, hoping to resume the work on the film and finish it. However, just a few days later, he received a shocking news: Oliver Ferraro had died of a drug overdose in his sleep. He was only 27 years old.
Suchorsky was devastated by the loss of his friend and partner, and felt a deep sense of responsibility to complete the film and honor Oliver’s vision. He vowed to Oliver’s mother, Sue, that he would finish the film and share it with the world.
He also felt a strong connection with Anthony, who had lost his beloved brother and mentor. He wanted to support him and show him that his brother’s legacy would live on through the film.
A Shot in the Dark: The Film That Oliver Finished
Suchorsky worked tirelessly to edit and polish the film, and also raised funds through Kickstarter to cover the costs of post-production. He received overwhelming support from the wrestling community, who donated over $40,000 in just four days.
The film was finally completed in 2017, and premiered at the Garden State Film Festival in Atlantic City, where it won the award for Best Documentary. It also received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised its honest and inspiring portrayal of Anthony Ferraro’s life and achievements.
The film also served as a tribute to Oliver Ferraro, who had started the project with a simple but powerful idea: to tell the story of his blind brother, who never gave up on his dreams.
According to Suchorsky, “Oliver was the heart and soul of this film. He was the one who saw the potential in Anthony’s story, and he was the one who pushed me to make it happen. He was a talented filmmaker, a passionate wrestling fan, and a loving brother. He is greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”
