*Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. is lending his talent and good name to a faith-based movie about love and forgiveness.
“The Grace Card” is under production in Memphis, TN., and Gossett leads of a cast of newcomers that could get a boost from his star power.
Gossett plays George Wright, a civil rights pioneer and long-time activist minister who provides wisdom and advice to his grandson Sam, who’s chosen to follow in George’s ministry footsteps. The problem is, Sam Wright’s church is too small and budget-challenged. Sam’s a full-time cop on the tough streets of inner city Memphis, preaching on Sunday.
For veteran screenwriter Howie Klausner, landing Gossett to star in the movie has made top news in Memphis. Klausner said “People want to see big name actors, quality production values and good stories,” adding that “despite conventional Hollywood ‘wisdom’, the gospel and grace is just as real and relevant as a movie theme as it was 2000 years ago.”
Writer David Evans brought his original story to Klausner so the two of them could bring it to the big screen. Evans said he wants the story to motivate Christians in his community to tackle the city’s race problems and work toward healing. The film has already made an impact on the town.
“One of our most important scenes takes place in a predominantly black Memphis church,” says Evans. “Without giving the plot away, actors, crew and hundreds of extras from both black and white congregations were hugging each other and crying because of the subject matter.”
Evans’ church usually puts on an ambitious Easter program but opted to support the film instead this year. Church members help with everything from carpentry to catering on the set. Evans chose to balance the crew with many local and Hollywood-based professionals. Veterans from hit films such as “Walk the Line,” “The Rainmaker,” “Fireproof,” “Scream 2,” and “Bedtime Stories,” are on set.
“It’s a unique combination of volunteer and professional crew,” Memphis Deputy Film Commissioner Sharon Fox O’Guin told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I’ve rarely seen such passion and dedication to a project.”
The film will complete production later this month and in theaters Spring 2010.
