Seth Christian launches Cinema Country with Made Clean

Producer Seth Christian has launched Cinema Country, a Nashville-based independent company making socially driven features outside the major studios. Details of the new venture and its first three films were reported on 2 October by Deadline.

Its lead project is Made Clean, a faith-inspired drama now in post-production, the final editing and finishing stage before release. The story centres on a mother battling addiction while raising her teenage daughter.

Penelope Ann Miller stars as Wanda. Otmara Marrero plays Tonya, the daughter at the heart of the story.

The supporting cast includes Glenn Morshower, Ava Torres, Jacob Alexander and Cherrie McRae. The screenplay was co-written by director D. Erik Parks and Christian.

Made Clean was made for $1 million to $2 million. The money came from equity partners, investors who put up cash in return for a percentage of future revenue, according to Deadline.

Christian previously produced the 2020 crime drama Echo Boomers, starring Patrick Schwarzenegger and Michael Shannon. That film followed a group of graduates who rob the homes of the wealthy in Chicago.

Cinema Country will operate its socially focused work under the Films For Impact label. The initial slate tackles addiction, obesity and social media.

The second feature, Hungerland, confronts obesity and the effects of America's food system. The third, Extension, examines the dangers of social media and its link to teen suicides, according to Deadline.

What makes this stand out is the tight link between subject and structure. Each title takes one public health issue and builds a narrative feature around it, with low budgets and outside finance.