The River Within
Encyclopedia
The River Within is a 2009 film
written and directed by Zac Heath. The film was produced by Inspired Life Films and Fabled Motion Pictures and released in theaters September 11, 2009 and on DVD November 10, 2009 by its distributor, Cloud Ten Pictures
. It was shot on location along the Spring River
in Arkansas
, on an extremely tight $40,000 budget.
to prepare for, the highly motivated and strictly disciplined Jason returns to the small Southern United States
town he grew up in to spend the summer studying. He quickly reconnects with his old friends Paul (Craig Luttrell) and Layla (Jaclyn Friedlander), but it is an encounter with David (Craig Morris), a pastor at a local church
, that changes his life forever. David offers Jason a part time summer job as a youth director, and he reluctantly accepts it. But as he gets to know the kids and their personal struggles, he begins to discover a passion that he didn't know existed within him; and he soon realizes that his dad's life-long question has now become his own.
starring Bette Davis
took place.
The film's budget only allowed for 16 days of shooting. In order to save money on hotels, most of the cast and crew slept in guest rooms or pool houses that belonged to the director's family and friends in Paragould. "Wherever we could cut corners on the budget, we did," Heath said.
Currently, The River Within has a 3.7 out of 5 star rating on Netflix.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
written and directed by Zac Heath. The film was produced by Inspired Life Films and Fabled Motion Pictures and released in theaters September 11, 2009 and on DVD November 10, 2009 by its distributor, Cloud Ten Pictures
Cloud Ten Pictures
Cloud Ten Pictures is a film production and distribution company located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, specializing in Christian-themed films.- Overview :Cloud Ten was formed by brothers Peter LaLonde and Paul LaLonde in 1994...
. It was shot on location along the Spring River
Spring River (Arkansas)
The Spring River is a 57-mile long river which flows through the U.S. states of Missouri and Arkansas.The Spring River consists of two branches, the South Fork of the Spring River and the Spring River proper....
in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, on an extremely tight $40,000 budget.
Plot
"What am I doing here?" is a question that has haunted Jason (Josh Odor) ever since he heard his dad utter it prior to his death. Now, fresh out of law school, and with an upcoming bar examinationBar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
to prepare for, the highly motivated and strictly disciplined Jason returns to the small Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
town he grew up in to spend the summer studying. He quickly reconnects with his old friends Paul (Craig Luttrell) and Layla (Jaclyn Friedlander), but it is an encounter with David (Craig Morris), a pastor at a local church
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
, that changes his life forever. David offers Jason a part time summer job as a youth director, and he reluctantly accepts it. But as he gets to know the kids and their personal struggles, he begins to discover a passion that he didn't know existed within him; and he soon realizes that his dad's life-long question has now become his own.
Cast
- Josh Odor as Jason (credited as Josh Lauri)
- Craig Luttrell as Paul
- Jaclyn Friedlander as Layla
- Craig Morris as David
- Maurice Mejia as Marcus
- Thomas Moore as Michael
Filming
The River Within was filmed in Northeast Arkansas in the summer of 2008. Various locations included the Spring River, the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Shiloh and Campground Methodist Churches, and the Collins Theater, where the 1941 world premiere of The Man Who Came to DinnerThe Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. It then enjoyed a number of New York and London revivals. The first London production was staged at The Savoy Theatre starring Robert...
starring Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
took place.
The film's budget only allowed for 16 days of shooting. In order to save money on hotels, most of the cast and crew slept in guest rooms or pool houses that belonged to the director's family and friends in Paragould. "Wherever we could cut corners on the budget, we did," Heath said.
Release
The River Within was released in select theaters in Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Louisiana on September 11, 2009. The film was released on DVD on November 10, 2009.Currently, The River Within has a 3.7 out of 5 star rating on Netflix.
External links
- Official website
- The River Within at FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...