Christian films are starting to make their mark, not just in Hollywood, but also in the music industry.
The Christian film "Alone Not Yet Alone," for example, sparked news everywhere when its title track was nominated for an Academy Award.
The film "God's Not Dead," now in theaters, propelled the 2011 Newsboys song of the same name to No. 1 on the iTunes Christian Single Chart almost immediately after the film's release.
Now another Christian movie coming out just in time for Father's Day is launching its music to the airwaves. Soulful singer and songwriter Christa Wells' title track for the upcoming film "A Long Way Off" is climbing charts within the industry and may soon appear not only in the movie, but also on your radio.
Wells' song, also named "A Long Way Off," came in at No. 3 on the April 6 list of the MPE Top 20 Christian weekly streamings and No. 10 on the list of MPE Top 20 Christian downloads. The MPE system is a service record labels use to distribute their pre-release music to DJs and other media outlets around the country. What scores big on the MPE system is typically heard soon on the radio.
Wells wrote the song with Emmy Award-nominated composer and songwriter Craig Brandwynne ("Destiny Road"), who composed the score for the film and produced the soundtrack.
Says Wells, "'A Long Way Off' is a modern adaptation of the biblical parable of 'The Prodigal Son,' and our song deals with not only the restlessness and discontent that often sends us on these kinds of journeys, but [also] the love that is always there to restore us when we stumble."
Watch the music video for "A Long Way Off" below:
The film "A Long Way Off" will make its world premiere on May 6 at the Landmark Theater in West Los Angeles, and then make its Hollywood festival debut at the Life Fest Film Festival. The film previously won Best of Show at the 2013 Sedona Faith and Family Film Festival.
As WND reported, "A Long Way Off" from Word Films, ProdigalFilm and Uptone Pictures is more than entertainment, but a movie with a message.
"We made 'A Long Way Off' to bring to remembrance the oft-forgotten fathers," Executive Producer Gerald McGlothlin told WND. "In a lost world that sometimes puts youth on a pedestal, we must not forget that behind millions of successful young men and women is a loving father. It is our hope that by watching this movie, many estranged sons and daughters will do as our lead character ultimately does: return home to reconcile with both their earthly and heavenly Father."
Read a review of "Grace Unplugged," another Prodigal-themed project, or go directly to the WND SuperStore, where the DVD is available for purchase.
There's no question Christian audiences watching "A Long Way Off" will recognize the familiar key elements of Jesus' parable, but that doesn't mean the movie is inherently religious or "preachy."
"The story of the prodigal son is not unique to any religion," Producer and Director Michael Davis told the Raleigh News & Observer. "I've always been drawn to that story because it's universal, and stories that are universal can appeal to many different people on many different levels."
In fact, the slogan for the film is, "We all know one, have been one, or are waiting for one to come home."
The film's cast includes, among others, Robert Davi (from "Goonies," "Die Hard" and James Bond's "License to Kill"), Edie McClurg (known from "Ferris Buehler's Day Off") and two actors from the hit Christian film "Courageous," Robert Amaya and Rusty Martin, and stars Jason Burkey from the film "October Baby."
Fox News Channel and syndicated radio host Sean Hannity, who also makes a brief appearance in the film, testifies, "We need great faith and family films like 'A Long Way Off.'"
See a trailer for the film below:
According to McGlothlin, the film's release right before Father's Day is particularly poignant.
"There have been countless studies that show having a loving father in a home provides children with far better shot at succeeding in life," McGlothlin told WND. "Overflowing prisons attest to the sad state of growing up without a father or being estranged from a father.
"We are releasing our film shortly before Father's Day with the hope that many will return home to their fathers," he continued, "We hope many sons and daughters take their fathers to see this film. We hope many fathers take their sons and daughters to see 'A Long Way Off.'"
To that end, McGlothlin's Moving Visions is coordinating with churches across the country to conduct screenings in conjunction with the theatrical release. Churches interested in hosting a screening should contact Moving Visions through its website.
Interested audiences can learn more through ALongWayOffTheMovie.com.
Read a review of "Grace Unplugged," another Prodigal-themed project, or go directly to the WND SuperStore, where the DVD is available for purchase.