Comedy, drama flick shot in Fall River perfect for COVID-19 quarantine times

A movie shot in Fall River was released to platforms on Friday and the timing couldn’t be more perfect for these current times.

“Sunny Side Up”, directed by Mike Melo, is about a young funeral director, Gregory Samuel, who is burdened with severe social anxiety and a relentless inner voice. Samuel tries to take comfort in a self-imposed house arrest, but is challenged by a curious neighbor.​

While the movie itself has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us can identify with what Gregory is going through in the film.

Samuel, played by Hunter Davis, continues to struggle when his female neighbor, Emma Poesy (played by Samantha Creed), tries to help him out of his funk.

For Melo, who also wrote and co-produced the flick, the premise of the movie hits home.

“It was a deeply personal film for me. Social anxiety has always been a part of my life but I felt it even more profoundly after the passing of my grandmother. It’s difficult to express what you’re going through sometimes. This was an attempt to bridge the gap between those who feel something similar and those who might not. Now with lockdowns and isolation, these feelings are seemingly becoming more relevant.”

The film features some local talent as producers Nelson Reis and Luis Carvalho are from Fall River.

Alexander Cook, who has 25 credits to his name, and Mary Wright are also featured.

Sunny Side Up was shown at the Sarasota Film Festival and is now available on Amazon.