Event

SLIFF - Don't Stop Believin'

Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey

Ramona S. Diaz, U.S., 2012, 113 min.

Monday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., Hi-Pointe

When classic-rock band Journey searched for a replacement for iconic lead singer Steve Perry, few would have predicted Arnel Pineda would emerge as the group's new frontman. A Filipino who led a hardscrabble existence on Manila's streets since age 13, Pineda comes to the attention of Journey guitarist Neal Schon when he views YouTube videos posted by a friend of the singer's. Listening to Pineda's covers of rock classics, Schon recognizes a clear similarity to Perry's powerfully unique vocals and flies the singer from Philippines to San Francisco to audition. Miraculously, Pineda lands the gig, but the dream sometimes proves a nightmare. The stress of fronting a legendary band on a world tour and replacing its defining member places a heavy burden on Pineda, and converting skeptical fans is a challenge.