This Clip of Chiwetel Ejiofor Starring in Anticipated Film 'Come Sunday' Will Give You Chills
The film is currently showing at Sundance and premieres on Netflix April 13.
A story from This American Life has come to life on-screen in this new film by Maria Full of Grace director Joshua Marston.
Come Sunday, starring Nigerian-British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is based on a real story of Pentecostal bishop Carlton Pearson's questioning of faith and the conflict between rigid dogma and reinterpretation. The film is currently making rounds at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Here's the full synopsis below:
Every Sunday, Bishop Carlton Pearson—evangelical megastar, brilliant orator, and television host with millions of followers—preaches the fundamentalist gospel to six thousand supplicants at his Higher Dimensions Church. He's the pride and joy of his spiritual father, Oral Roberts, and the toast of Tulsa. One day, rattled by an uncle's suicide and distraught by reports of the Rwandan Genocide, Pearson receives an epiphany. Suddenly it's crystal clear—God loves all humankind; everyone is already saved, whether Christian or not; and there is no hell. But these ideas are heretical, violating sacrosanct doctrines.
The next Sunday, when Pearson unveils this theology of inclusion to his flock, shock waves sweep the enormous hall. Church leaders and members begin to defect in droves, and his empire topples. Based on the true story of a controversial and courageous man of God, "Come Sunday" elegantly and respectfully captures the authentic texture and tone of Pearson's devout world, never resorting to hyperbole.
In the clip below, we watch Pearson (played by Ejiofor) have an intense, eye-catching exchange with the clergy of his church:
Come Sunday drops on Netflix on April 13. The film also features Martin Sheen, Condola Rashad, Jason Segel, Danny Glover and Lakeith Stanfield.
