Alan Powell’s “A Week Away” features a slew of rearranged contemporary Christian music hits and a high-profile Hollywood cast. Some of the actors include Sherri Shepherd, David Koechner, Jahbril Cook, Kat Conner Sterling, and Iain Tucker.
The idea for the movie came from Powell, a Christian singer and actor, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kali Bailey. He was inspired to write the script after chatting with his brother-in-law who runs a youth group.
Initially, there was going to be a theatrical release of the film, but Powell said Netflix acquiring the film is a dream come true.
The film, which was shot in Nashville, follows “troubled teen Will Hawkins who has a run-in with the law that puts him at an important crossroad: go to juvenile detention or attend a Christian summer camp. At first, a fish-out-of-water, Will opens his heart, discovers love with a camp regular, and a sense of belonging in the last place he expected to find it.”
Powell said he’d heard reactions from people who were surprised Netflix took the film on after the streaming service ignited controversy when it refused to remove “The First Temptation of Christ,” a satirical film that portrays Jesus as a homosexual.
The film was directed by Roman White, a popular music video director who has worked with Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Carrie Underwood.
“A Week Away” is scheduled to stream on Netflix later this year.