Arnold: The Unreal Story

In 1979, a young bodybuilder named Arnold dreams of becoming the biggest movie star of all time.

Arnold's agent warns him that his unique body and unusual accent are an obstacle to movie stardom, as is his near unpronounceable name...

In a journey filled with sceptical agents, wide-eyed producers and flamboyant acting teachers, Arnold remains recklessly determined, even as he struggles to find his true self as an actor. Will he give up on his dream, or will he find the courage to be himself and fight for what he believes in?

Find out in this hilarious and heart-warming comedic pastiche about one of the greatest icons of the silver screen.

  • Jarrad Bhatia
    Director
    Cheaters (2017)
  • Jarrad Bhatia
    Writer
    Cheaters (2017), Raising the Bar (2016)
  • Jarrad Bhatia
    Producer
  • Kyle Duncan
    Key Cast
    "Arnold"
  • James McCluskey-Garcia
    Key Cast
    "Benson"
  • Marc Clement
    Key Cast
    "Ira"
  • Lisa K. Lanzi
    Key Cast
    "Miss Roxy"
  • Pirie Martin
    Director of Photoraphy and Editor
    Andy's Venture (2017)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 56 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jarrad Bhatia

Jarrad Bhatia is a filmmaker and co-owner of Kessel Run Productions, creating TV commercials, promotional and corporate videos.

Graduating from MAPS (Media Arts Production Skills) in 2009 with an Advanced Diploma in Production and Writing, Jarrad has since been involved in several short film productions in various roles, from grip to director.

In 2010, he co-directed the short film "Dead of Night". Jarrad was also one of the writers of the feature film "Raising the Bar", funded by US distribution company MarVista Entertainment and the South Australian Film Corporation and released in 2016 across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe via cable TV and online steaming services, and released theatrically in Australia.

Short films in that time include work on "Andy's Venture" and "A Job Well Done", as both Executive Producer and filling various crewing roles. "Cheaters", shot and completed in 2016, marks his first foray into solo writing and directing since film school.

Submitted to film festivals worldwide in 2017, "Cheaters" was accepted into more than a dozen international festivals and took home several top awards, including Best Short FIlm, Best Short Comedy and Best Director.

Jarrad is currently involved in several projects in various stages of development, including both short and feature film.

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Director Statement

While on the set of our multi-award-winning short comedy "Cheaters", I was approached by one of our actors who kept us all in stitches with what may well be the best Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation in the world. He wanted create something to showcase that talent, and soon after we went to work.

The idea started small-- a short montage recreating Arnold's many iconic lines. However, we quickly decided we wanted to not just showcase the voice, but push ourselves as storytellers by creating something more unique and challenging than any of the myriad Arnold parodies over the decades.

After many delays and setbacks, the result is "Arnold: The Unreal Story", a fictionalised pastiche that has it's tongue firmly planted in it's cheek, yet aims to deliver a hilarious and heart-warming story about Arnold Schwarzenegger's journey as an aspiring actor, capturing the essence of his unique character and spirit. Through humour, we aim to explore themes of self-belief, perseverance, and authenticity, while celebrating the power of chasing one's dreams. With a talented cast and crew, we've attempted to bring to life a compelling, fast-paced and visually rich tribute to one of our favourite icons, and create a piece of entertainment that will keep viewers smiling.