New York, NY (Top40 Charts) We never imagined that [the song] would become the title track of a film!
The power of music in film is clear in
Silver Lining Pictures' feature drama "Runnin' from my Roots," evidenced by its Best Musical Score win at the 2019 International Christian Film and
Music Festival. Herman Beeftink, whose work appears in such blockbusters as "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," won the award for his excellent film score. Country recording artist, Grand Old Opry regular, and 2013 American Idol finalist Janelle Arthur won the lead role for a song she co-wrote with Jeff Hodge and Stephen Paul. Arthur's debut in this film also earned her a Best Lead Actress nomination at the ICFF.
This was a case of the song steering the movie, according to Producer
Gabrielle Evans Fields. "The original script was about a rising movie star and we wanted a singer for the lead," she says. "We listened to Arthur's single 'Runnin' from my Roots' and knew that we had it in the song and in her." Evans led the production switch from Hollywood to Nashville and gave Arthur a phone call.
"When I brought the [song] hook to my co-writers, we never imagined that it would become the title track of a film!" says Arthur. "So many people tell me how they relate to the song and its message." The music video, directed by Jeff Johnson and produced by
Silver Lining Pictures, secured the number 1 spot in CMT's
Music 12 Pack for six out of the nine weeks that it aired.
Nancy Criss directed the film which garnered a third nomination for Best Picture at the ICFF. It's about a country star who, after a public fall from grace, seeks solace in her small town and her first love, the local pastor, only to find that the homecoming is bittersweet. It also stars
Aaron O'Connell, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Nia Sioux, Patrick Muldoon, and country great Deana Carter.
Orlando's Wyndham Resort International Hotel hosted the 2019 International Christian Film Festival and Awards Ceremony with Arthur performing the title song followed by a standing ovation. "Runnin' from my Roots" film and soundtrack are available on PureFlix.com, 24Flix.com, Amazon.com, iTunes, and on DVD at Walmart and other retailers.
