Oliver Ferraro was the older brother of Anthony Ferraro, a blind wrestler who was 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 share his brother’s inspirational story with the world. He filmed and edited a teaser video that caught the attention of a filmmaker, Chris Suchorsky, who decided to collaborate with him and follow Anthony’s quest to win a state title in his senior year of high school.
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A Passionate Filmmaker and a Supportive Brother
Oliver Ferraro was a passionate filmmaker who had a degree in film production from Montclair State University. He worked as a freelance videographer and editor, and had a keen interest in music and sports. He was also a supportive brother to Anthony, who was born legally blind due to a condition called Leber congenital amaurosis. Oliver encouraged Anthony to pursue his dreams and helped him overcome the challenges of his disability. He was always by his side, cheering him on during his wrestling matches and documenting his journey.
A Sudden and Unexpected Death
The film project was put on hold for a few years due to other priorities for both Chris and Oliver. In the summer of 2015, they decided to resume working on it and finish the documentary. However, just a few days after Chris contacted Oliver, he received the devastating news that Oliver had died in his sleep at the age of 27. The cause of death was later revealed to be a drug overdose.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Love
Oliver’s death was a huge shock and a heartbreaking loss for his family, friends, and the wrestling community. His mother, Sue, said that he was a loving son and brother who had a bright future ahead of him. She also said that he was very proud of Anthony and wanted to show the world his courage and determination. Chris, the filmmaker, vowed to Oliver’s mother that he would complete the film and honor Oliver’s vision. He launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the post-production of the film, and received overwhelming support from the wrestling community and beyond. The film was finally released in 2017, and received critical acclaim and awards at various film festivals. It also opened doors for Anthony, who was invited to join the U.S. Paralympic Judo program and compete at the international level.
Oliver Ferraro’s cause of death was a tragic and unfortunate event that cut short the life of a talented and caring young man. However, his legacy lives on through the film that he started, which portrays the inspirational story of his brother, a blind wrestler who never gave up on his dreams. The film is a testament to the power of love, family, and sports, and a reminder to always take “a shot in the dark”.
