Willie and Korie Robertson were in Franklin Tuesday night for a special premiere of Elijah Peel, a new faith-based drama centered on addiction, redemption and second chances.
The screening was held at the AMC theater in Franklin ahead of the movie’s nationwide theatrical release on Friday, Aug. 14. The Robertsons serve as executive producers of the film through eKKL Entertainment, their new faith-and-family entertainment company. Cast members who were in attendance included Robert Malcom Cumming, Evelyn Grace Kite, April Billingsly, Princess Elmore, and Jason Louder along with director Kevin D. Sepe.
Inspired by a true story, Elijah Peel follows a stadium-filling rock star whose life of fame and excess takes a devastating turn after a near-fatal heart attack. During his recovery, Elijah forms an unexpected friendship with Jessica, a terminally ill 9-year-old girl whose faith and outlook begin to break through the walls he has built around himself.
The story explores Elijah’s struggle with addiction, damaged relationships and the difficult path toward recovery, reconciliation and faith.
Veteran actor Kevin Sorbo portrays Elijah’s longtime talent manager, a man who has witnessed both the musician’s rise to fame and the destructive personal choices threatening to end his career. Robert Malcolm Cumming stars as Elijah, while young actress Evelyn Grace Kite portrays Jessica. The cast also includes April Billingsley and Princess Elmore.
The film was written, directed and produced by Kevin D. Sepe and was inspired by his own experiences with addiction and recovery. After years of addiction and several brushes with death, Sepe found sobriety, embraced his faith and began rebuilding his life. Those experiences eventually inspired the film’s story of a man forced to confront his past and choose a different future.
The Robertsons recently launched eKKL Entertainment with Michael Scott, a co-founder of PureFlix. The company is developing a faith-and-family entertainment platform featuring movies, television series, podcasts, devotionals and live experiences. Its name, pronounced “ECK-ul,” is inspired by the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “gathering” or “assembly.”
eKKL acquired the North American theatrical distribution rights to Elijah Peel. The movie was filmed in and around Memphis and will open exclusively in theaters nationwide on August 14.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
