Canaan Land Interview & Hollywood Tour

Canaan Land is the story of a con man preacher, Brother Billy (Richard Rossi), who falls for a sincere Christian, Sister Sara, (Rebecca Holden) and realizes his con game isn’t a game anymore.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:

Best Picture

Best Actor: Richard Rossi

Best Actress: Rebecca Holden

Best Supporting Actor: Isaac Bar-jonah

Best Supporting Actress: Jozy Pollock, Rosetta Walker

Best Song: A Much, Much Greater Love, Canaan Land, Vagabond, Street-Preaching Man

Best Adapted Screenplay: Richard Rossi from his novel “Canaan Land”

Best Director: Richard Rossi

Editing: Richard R. Krause & Richard Rossi

REVIEWS: People are talking…

“Every now and then a film comes along that changes everything. Religious films are often stigmatized as only appropriate for a particular demographic, but a current 2021 Oscar entry is taking what is typically thought of religious films, and flipping it on its head. Based on Richard Rossi’s hit novel, “Canaan Land” is a feature dramatic film about a consummate charismatic con man who takes advantage of those with genuine faith…” (CBS 2 News)

“Underdog Oscar contender ‘Canaan Land’ is so well-acted and well paced it had me captured for its full 113 minute running time. Richard Rossi’s nuanced acting was stellar as con man Brother Billy. His womanizing and hustling was despicable, yet somehow his childlike qualities and brokenness made me want to see him redeemed. Rebecca Holden was lovely as Sister Sara, and she did a great job both acting and singing the Oscar-worthy duet end title song “A Much, Much Greater Love” produced by Grammy winner Joel Diamond, and Rebecca’s duet singing partner is Grammy winner Jason Crabb… “Get the gold dust!” Brother Billy yells, in his gold glitter jacket that has spawned a fashion trend and is sold in stores worldwide as the “Brother Billy Canaan Land jacket.” There is a reason Billy’s look and eccentricities have become iconic. Rossi has tapped into archetypes both in the characters and the story…This is the best film I’ve ever seen about spiritual issues, contrasting real faith with fake religion. It is a work of art about faith, but not a saccharine treacly film like most “Christian movies.”… If capturing the audience and making you watch it is the criteria for a review, it is a near perfect film.” (IMDB.com)

“Canaan Land” is a raw and authentic look into the workings of miracle industries that lure people. “Canaan Land” shows how a person comes to faith, real faith. A religious film for the rest of the people, and a film that the secular audience will like.” (FOX)

“Richard Rossi is standing for good and against evil. He is a voice for the poor who have been taken advantage of by those misrepresenting Christ in a culture of greed. He contrasts the love of God with those who teach blessings are bought with donations, which is idolatry.” (Pope Francis)

“”Canaan Land,” though made with volunteers on a shoestring, is on the lips of insiders predicting its David challenging Goliath, giving big-budget films a run for Oscar gold…”Canaan Land” is truly breaking the stigma that religious films cannot be entertaining for a secular crowd, while still pursuing religious messaging.”
(NBC)