Production is set to begin in February for the film “Purple Church: With God All Things Are Possible,” which will take place in Clarksdale.
“Purple Church” is a 2011 novel written by Starner Jones about a lonely minister being lured into a double life. MVP Entertainment Group founder Marie Pizano acquired the film rights of the book, which she will be producing.
Pizano announced production will start roughly between Feb. 18 and 21 with a 16-day filming schedule. Most of the filming will be in Clarksdale, but some will take place in Memphis.
“I think the way this is all been working out is beautiful timing as we had to take time to build the networking with many churches and creating our marketing plan and making sure we partner with a charitable cause that would bring awareness in the film to what our lead character faces,” Pizano said. “So, for example, we partnered with Life Choices of Memphis. Within the budget of our film, we will give a donation, but also the storyline has a real place that women who are pregnant and choose pro life... they have a place to go to to have health care, everything paid for and guidance.”
Pizano also announced Steve Race is now signed on to direct the film.
“He’s best known for ‘I’m In Love With A Church Girl,’” Pizano said.
Race and Pizano are working together to determine the specific scheduling dates for production.
Currently, Pizano said offers are being made for bankable lead actors.
“We are looking for about 200 extras. They will be paid and approximately nine small speaking roles — the rest are being cast and will be announced soon, but you will recognize the names,” Pizano said.
She said there are opportunities locally for product placement in the film.
Pizano has received positive feedback for her work.
“I’ve talked to many people in L.A. and done big research with box offices and faith-based films are doing really well so I believe not only the storyline or content is based on a inspired by a book it is timely because of what we are seeing in society — what is happening with some pastors and a whole big ‘me too’ and sexual harassment awareness and movement,” she said. “This film has a lot that it will bring up. We don’t slap you on the head with the Bible, but with God, all things are possible so it’s about life choices really and each of these characters all made a choice where their path is leading them.
“It’s kind of like you could learn from this and be inspired. There are many girls out there like our lead character Ashley. This can inspire and change lives and the way we all view things.”
Several things about the film were already determined when the the film’s writer Bill McAdams Jr., Pizano and former mayor, local attorney and Ground Zero Blues Club co-owner Bill Luckett met at Ground Zero Blues Club in June 2018.
Blues musician Bobby Rush will be playing himself on stage in a big scene at Ground Zero Blues Club. One of the leading characters is Brother Jimmy, a pastor whose wife dies and his life spirals downward. He is in the scene with Judge Peters. McAdams Jr., from Los Angeles, plays Brother Jimmy, and Luckett is an executive producer playing Judge Peters.
The film will be ready after all the footage goes to post production at Kappa Studios in Burbank, Calif. The movie will be in theaters.
“We have our foreign and domestic sales under the guidance of GlassHouse film distribution,” Pizano said. “We already got our foreign estimates and we are in discussion to put in to start about 20 to 30 theaters once the film is ready to be released.”
Anyone wishing to get involved may email Pizano at info@mvp3media.com.
