'A Powerful Mission': Film On Holmdel Toddler Who Died To Premiere At NY Film Expo

HOLMDEL, NJ — From personal tragedy to a powerful mission, a documentary about a Holmdel toddler who suddenly died in 2017 will have its New York premiere at the 28th annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) this summer.

On Thursday, July 10, the film will premiere from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. (Film Block 5) at Bellmore Movies & Showplace at 222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY.

The documentary tells the story of Vienna Carly Savino, a healthy toddler from Holmdel Township who unexpectedly died just shy of three years old while watching TV at home in 2017.

Following her passing, her family was confronted with Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC), an unknown condition with no immediate explanation.

Her parents, sports medicine physician Dr. Denise Wunderler, DO, FAOASM, and emergency medicine physician and Iraq Army veteran Dr. Mike Savino, DO, faced an emotional and medical challenge.

Their documentary, “Vienna: Suddenly An Angel,” follows the Wunderler/Savino family’s journey from local grief to worldwide action.

The film explores their collaboration with the Boston Children’s Hospital’s Robert’s Program (a leading initiative in SUDC research) and their efforts through the family’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit Team Vienna 4 SUDC Awareness to support this vital work and advocate for increased awareness and education.

Set against the backdrop of their New Jersey community, the film captures how the support and solidarity of their local environment have played a crucial role in their healing process.

Through personal interviews and community reflections, the documentary reveals the intersection of personal loss, scientific research and discovery, and communal support, offering a message of hope and resilience with the goal of ultimately uncovering answers.

“We are so thankful for the very generous support and caring hearts of all the donors in making my dream of creating an impactful film a reality,” Wunderler said.

NJ philanthropist Carol Stillwell is one of the executive producers on the film, alongside Wunderler, Savino, and Vienna’s grandparents, Vietnam Air Force veteran Carl and Hilda Wunderler, who have helped support the film in many ways.

The documentary previously had its world premiere on March 29 at the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park and won the award for Best Homegrown Documentary Short. After the Film Expo in July, the film will have its Pennsylvania premiere at the New Hope Film Festival in August.

The idea for the film was spearheaded over five years ago by Wunderler when a reporter asked her about future goals for the nonprofit.

A few years later, during Vienna’s Day of International SUDC Awareness Walk at Cross Farm Park in Holmdel, Savino met producer, writer and director Marko Albrecht and introduced his wife Wunderler to him.

Since then, Albrecht invited photographer and cinematographer Alexander Berg and editor Corey O’Neill, and Wunderler invited musician Ray Andersen, to create an award-winning film team out of NJ and NYC.

Andersen is known as “mr.RAY” and performed for all three of the Wunderler/Savino kids at their preschool in Princeton years ago.

“Vienna’s film is a true labor of love that I hope will inspire questions and discussion of this unknown medical topic and let other child loss families know that they are not alone,” Wunderler said. “I also hope that the film inspires more SUDC research and funding so all families will one day get answers.”

Shockingly, Wunderler said most physicians have never heard of SUDC, as was the case with her and Savino.

The two were familiar with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which applies to thoroughly investigated unexplained deaths in babies under a year old, however, SUDC is SIDS Part II, and includes those ages one through 18 years old.

Even Vienna’s genetic studies (as part of research studies) did not reveal a cause of death, the family said.

There are no causes or preventative measures known for SUDC, though Wunderler said Robert’s Program at the Boston Children’s Hospital is “the most advanced, comprehensive SUDC study that focuses on the child” in their search for answers for families. The family said they are grateful for the program’s hard work and dedication.

“This special film is dedicated to all SUDC kids and their families. Our kids will never be forgotten,” Wunderler said. “We are living this lifelong silent struggle that must be brought to light, so one day we will know why our precious children were not given an opportunity to live a full life. And maybe one day, there will be no SUDC.”

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