Mill Creek Entertainment has selected June 13 as the DVD debut date for writer/director Jeffrey A. Smith’s Dove-Approved faith-based story of hope and redemption, Southern Gospel.
The film had a limited theatrical run in March and arrives with an ARR of 95 days. The reviews were solid and audiences responded enthusiastically, often commenting that Southern Gospel wasn’t a “cookie-cutter” faith-based tale.
Indeed, recording artist-turned-filmmaker Jeffrey A. Smith, drew heavily on his own experiences growing up — and his career in the music business — to weave his tale about Samuel Allen (Max Ehrich — four-time Emmy Award nominee for his continuing role as Fenmore Baldwin on The Young and the Restless … as Hunter May in the Under the Dome television series), the son of a widowed Pastor (played by Gary Weeks), who finds failing in the mixed messages of “organized” religion.
During the 1960s (younger version of Sam is played by Beau Hart) Sam grows up with anger, not just with what he sees as hypocrisy among the church goers and church officials, but over the blame he feels for the death of his mother.
Without giving away too much — Southern Gospel is really a film to be seen and enjoyed — there are two critical points in the story. First, as a teen Sam meets Julie Ledbetter (Katelyn Nacon — perhaps best known to audiences as Enid in The Walking Dead series, plus such films as Devil’s Peak, Breathing Happy), whose family life is none too pretty.
Second, Sam forms a rock band and takes to the road. Yes, sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll all come together in a tragic accident, which proves to be something of a wake-up call for our young rebel.
These two elements will play an important part in moving the storyline along. The production values are top-notch, the music is also an essential part of the film (soundtrack is stunning) and the message — the faith-based message — is presented with all of the blemishes and failings that are a part of life.
Be sure to put this on your must-see list in June. On DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment on June 13.
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