Clouds Provides Hope in Midst of Tragedy

Page 20 A&E Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 Clouds provides hope in midst of tragedy Rachel Bowling Zach’s soon-to-be girlfriend, Amy A&E Reporter Adamle (Madison Iseman), is one of the only people who know that he is Childhood cancer is one of the hardest terminally ill. When she finds out, she things someone can go through. The tells Zach that she still wants to explore endless surgeries and hospital visits can their relationship, and nothing could take a mental toll on everyone involved. change that. As time goes by, Amy For singer and guitarist Zach Sobiech, becomes a huge support system for Zach, a cancer patient who tragically passed and her love for him only grows stronger. away in 2013, music was his only outlet. Another huge supporter for Zach is Clouds, written and directed by Justin his best friend, Sammy Brown (Sabrina Baldoni, follows Sobiech in the last few Carpenter). Sammy and Zach had months of his life, and how he changed known each other since they were babies, the entire world around him with a single and they were practically siblings. They song. both shared a love for music. Played by Fin Argus, Zach Sobiech Music had always been very important was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, to Zach. He was always strumming on osteosarcoma, at 14 years old. When a his guitar when he was in deep thought, bad cough turned into an emergency rush or singing when he felt there was nothing to the hospital, the doctors discovered else to do. Zach’s music was so important, that his cancer had spread to his lungs. it changed his life forever. Zach only had eight to 10 months to live. When Sammy and Zach decided Upon hearing this news, Zach realized to record an album together before he that this was his last chance to really make passed, they named their band A Firm an impact on the world, which is what he Handshake. They uploaded different had wanted ever since he was little. songs to YouTube, and it was not long before they started to gain a little bit of traction. Thanks to their teacher, Mr. Weaver (Lil Rel Howry), A Firm Handshake was noticed by a record company, and they signed a contract that gave them a studio and the perfect representations of determination and a promise. I told him that I would do place to record their music. courage in the face of fear. Although whatever I could, whatever was in my The song that really sent Zach knew he had only a short time left power to continue telling his story and to A Firm Handshake into the to live on this earth, he tried his best to make sure that the world knew his name stratosphere was “Clouds.” The make it a better place. and listened to his music,” Baldoni said title of the movie was based off A fact that many people do not know is in an interview with Refinery29. Seven of this song because “Clouds” that the director, Justin Baldoni, actually years later, Baldoni kept his promise and was arguably the best thing spent time with Sobiech in the last few created Clouds in memory of Sobiech. Zach did for his music career. weeks of his life. Back in 2013, Baldoni Although Clouds is an extremely He wrote it to show that even visited the Sobiechs and constructed My heartbreaking narrative, it is also a story when you feel like you have Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech, an in- of hope and faith in the face of tragedy. no hope, there are always new depth documentary of Zach’s life. A heart-wrenching and remarkable true beginnings in the clouds. “He became like a little brother to story, Clouds shows the world that even While this movie can tug me, and I became so close to him and in times of tragedy and hopelessness, love on your heartstrings, it does so his family. Before he passed away, I was and dedication will always persevere. in the best ways. Clouds is one FaceTiming with him...and I made him Art by Scarlett Hatton. of the best and most accurate .

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