Sony Pictures’ AFFIRM Films has begun production for A Music City Story, which stars actor and recording artist Moriah (MŌRIAH) Smallbone (The Chosen, Journey to Bethlehem) and her real-life husband, Joel Smallbone (Young Washington, Unsung Hero, Priceless), one half of the GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning duo for KING + COUNTRY.
Set against the backdrop of the city that gave country music its home, A Music City Story is being filmed on location in and around Nashville. One of those locations includes the historic Church of the Holy Trinity, a 174-year-old congregation in downtown Nashville. The Tennessean recently shared how the film is now helping to revive and fund lasting renovations for the historic congregation.
You can check out the story on their Instagram right here!
Written and directed by Adam Anders (Journey to Bethlehem), with original music by Adam Anders and Moriah Smallbone, the film also stars Veronica Falcón (Ozark, Queen of the South, Perry Mason), two-time Tony Award® winner Christine Ebersole (The Wolf of Wall Street, Bob Hearts Abishola), Josh Holloway (Lost, Colony, Duster), country music star Randy Houser (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Hill), Cress Williams (Black Lightning, Hart of Dixie) and country music legend Tanya Tucker.
Written off by Nashville as past her prime, struggling singer-songwriter Mo (Moriah Smallbone) walks away from her controlling manager and takes a chance on starting over. As she works to rebuild her career, she forms an unexpected connection with Ran (Joel Smallbone), a contractor whose encouragement helps her rediscover her faith, her voice and the courage to pursue the future she’s always believed possible. Together, they learn that every comeback starts with believing there’s another verse to write.
A Music City Story is produced by Kevin Downes (I Can Only Imagine, Jesus Revolution, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Anders, Moriah Smallbone, Joel Smallbone, Nick Moceri (Sovereign, Sitting in Bars with Cake, Journey to Bethlehem), and Nikki Anders, and Executive Produced by Bill Herren and Bernie Stern.
“Nashville isn’t just the setting of this film, it’s the heartbeat of it. This is a story about second chances, faith, and the songs we’re still meant to write, and there’s no better place to tell it than Music City. Getting to capture Joel and Moriah Smallbone’s real-life chemistry on screen, and to build the music with them from the ground up, has been one of the great joys of my career,” said writer and director Adam Anders.
“We fell in love writing a song together, and now that creative partnership has become a story inspired by our heritage, our marriage, and the dreams we’ve learned to chase side by side. This film is rooted in so many things we love – taking brave risks, making music, and the community we’ve found here in Nashville. Through these characters, we get to explore what it means to keep choosing each other day after day – and bringing that story to the big screen feels deeply personal,” said Moriah Smallbone and Joel Smallbone.
“Deeply moving and paired with a powerful soundtrack, A Music City Story delivers an unforgettable blend of heart and hope. Visionary creator Adam Anders has crafted a narrative designed to touch the human spirit, brought to life by the exceptional talents of Moriah Smallbone and Joel Smallbone. At its core, the film beautifully captures our universal desire to love others without reservation. In partnership with Sony AFFIRM Films, we are thrilled to bring this inspiring cinematic journey to audiences worldwide,” said producer Kevin Downes.
“Nashville and country music are speaking to the world in a powerful way, and this story taps into that. At its heart, it’s about two broken people finding real love and relationship in a time when so many feel connected, but alone,” said Rich Peluso, Sony Pictures’ AFFIRM Films.
Stay updated at www.affirmfilmsupdates.com and follow @AFFIRMFilms on social media.
##
