The King will be the first English-language film for Mexican superstar Gael Garcia Bernal, who has acquired quite an indie following thanks to critically acclaimed performances in films such as Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The Motorcycle Diaries and Bad Education. It's a film that is likely to arouse some controversy due to its themes and plot dealing with Christianity in Red State Texas.
The story centers on a troubled 21-year-old (Bernal) named Elvis who has just finished a stint serving with the Navy. He becomes determined to locate the father he never knew (William Hurt). When Elvis finally finds him, he learns that he is a pastor of a prosperous Baptist church in Corpus Christi, Texas. What's more, since he is now married to gorgeous woman (Laura Harring) and has two picture-perfect children, the pastor really wants nothing to do with his long-lost son. Angry and hurt, Elvis sets out to destroy his father's idyllic existence.
After premiering at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, The King has been acquired for North American distribution by ThinkFilm, a company that often is willing to take on daring or controversial projects. Thanks to the growing popularity of Bernal, it should be able to generate some decent buzz in advance of its theatrical debut. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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