Filmmakers
to Share Experiences of Making Elvis Presley Bio-Movie at
LDS Film Festival
OREM, Utah
— Tears of a King, a bio-pic of Elvis Presley that explores Elvis' spiritual
search, will be discussed as part of the LDS Film Festival
in Orem, Utah, this Friday.
Film writer and director Rob
Diamond, Producer Josh Pearson, and Director of Photography/editor/
producer Kels Goodman will discuss their experiences in the
creation of their new motion picture at 2:00 PM on January
19. It will be one of several presentations given as part
of the 6th Annual LDS Film Festival, chaired by
Christian Vuissa.
The location is the SCERA Theater
at 745 South
State Street in Orem. (www.ldsfilmfestival.org)
The festival runs from January
17-20 and features dozens of films by, for, and about members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tickets
for all events are available at 801/225-ARTS, online at scera.org or at the door.
Tears of a King was filmed
in Orem in September 2006. It explores a part of Elvis' life never before
told — his personal quest for spiritual knowledge and peace.
During their presentation, the filmmakers will give festival-goers
a “sneak peak” at some of the footage from the movie, which
is still being edited. There will also be a Q&A session.
Millions know Elvis Presley’s music and the flashy jewel-studded
costumes, but few have explored the man behind the myth, the
loneliness behind the legend, and the spiritual hunger lurking
beneath the glitz and glamour of a rock ‘n roll “King.”
Elvis Presley, as depicted in Tears of a King
Behind closed doors,
Elvis often escaped from his daunting public life into his
bedroom at Graceland for weeks at a time — especially in his
later years. This is where much of the film Tears of a
King takes place. The filmmakers built a replica of Elvis’s
room from the few existing photos and floor plans of the mansion
in Memphis, in order to give fans a glimpse of a place where
no fan has gone before — Elvis' personal sanctuary. The actual
room at Graceland was sealed shortly after his death and remains untouched even
today.
It is there that we meet the
man Elvis, not the star. We see a man searching for answers
in a world that for him has gone wrong. We witness first
hand the struggles and hopes of a man humbled by his excesses
— a grieving human being in despair.
Elvis Aron Presley grew from humble beginnings to become one
of the most famous men ever to walk the face of the earth.
He was known worldwide almost as well as Jesus Christ himself.
Elvis seemingly had everything anyone could ever want. But
what he wanted most — a family — he had lost due to bad choices
and public demand on his time and energies.
Much of the film is told in surreal flashback sequences where
Elvis comes face to face with his past. In a manner similar
to the Scrooge character in A Christmas Carol, he gains
insight from each of his reflections. And like Scrooge, he
is guided in his discoveries about himself by a “mysterious
man” — a supernatural character from the Beyond.
Newcomer Matt Lewis plays Elvis
in the film, and in addition to his uncanny physical resemblance
to Presley his speaking and singing voice almost perfectly
match that of Elvis. In several musical numbers Lewis captures
both the voice and spirit of “The King” so exactly that many
visitors to the movie set thought they were hearing and seeing
a ghost.
Power comes with fame and fortune, and Elvis lived in a world
governed by his own rules, which ultimately became the catalyst
for his demise and also his eventual journey to redemption.
In spite of his human weaknesses, he was known to be a kind
and generous man and a devout Christian — a good soul who
sought peace and knowledge from his Maker. An avid reader,
Elvis devoured many books and studied many religions. In one
particular ancient and sacred volume, the film shows the “King
of Rock n' Roll” as he comes face to face with the King of
Kings and finds spiritual guidance in a time of great need
and sorrow.
The film’s producers were able
to obtain permission to use in the movie a copy of The Book
of Mormon that was owned by Elvis, which is now kept in the
LDS Church archives.
Tears of a King tells a story of struggle, of self-discovery,
and of forgiveness and redemption. It is a film to be loved
by both young and old alike. Regardless of religious affiliation,
Tears of a King promises to be both entertaining and
enlightening for movie-goers worldwide.
Tears of a King will be released in theaters during
August of 2007 to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary
of Elvis’s death. At the same time, a factual documentary
program about Elvis’s spiritual quest will be released on
television and DVD.
Both films are produced by “7
Films 7” Productions and Matthew Reese Films. For more information
go to www.tearsofaking.com or
call 801/824-2843.
