Interviews
Joel Smallbone & David Koechner Hope To Spread Awareness About Modern-Day Slavery
BackstageOL’s Dave Morales sat down with Priceless stars Joel Smallbone (For King & Country) and David Koechner for a backstage interview to talk about visiting Houston and the powerful message throughout the film.
Inspired by true stories, the faith-based drama, directed by Smallbone’s brother Ben Smallbone, tells the story about a man who encounters the horrors of human trafficking.
“It’s a family affair on both sides of the camera. There are so many themes and threads of family through the film,” Smallbone explained. “The love of two sisters, the love of father and daughter, the love of a man and a woman – but behind the camera, my brother, Ben, is the director, my brother, Luke, is one of the producers.”
Priceless’ official synopsis:
Inspired by true events, PRICELESS is a powerful drama/thriller about James Stevens (Joel Smallbone) who was, at one time, a good man with a great life — but that was then and this is now. After the tragic death of his wife and losing custody of his little girl, James is at the darkest crossroad of his life. Angry, desperate, and unable to hold down a steady job, he agrees to drive a box truck on a shady, one-time trip cross country for cash — no questions asked. But when he discovers what he is delivering is actually who, he is compelled to save two beautiful and frightened sisters (Bianca Santos, Amber Midthunder) who are unaware of the danger that awaits them. Can love, strength, and faith redefine his past and change the course of his future? This unlikely hero risks it all to save these women, confront the forces that oppose him and ultimately discover the life he was meant to live.
Smallbone continued, “I hope the film inspires people to ask the question, ‘What’s our global responsibility here… about this awful epidemic that is slavery, prostitution and trafficking?’”
Koechner concurred, stating that as a father of three daughters, the film touched a little too close to home. “I felt that it is a very important subject that is very real and very horrifying. It is happening in every major city in the country right now at this second, some woman is being forced into sex trafficking against her will.”
He concluded by stating that, “If this movie brings only just awareness… that’s a win.”
In addition to making this film, Smallbone revealed that he and his brother Luke (who comprise For Kings & Country) will be releasing a Christmas song very soon. As for when new music will be released, “Top of next year we are going into the studio again.”
Priceless hits theaters on October 14th. Check out the full interview with Smallbone and Koechner below:
