It started with a documentary in Argentina and spanned a decade and a half.
Palau: The Movie is a biopic about the great evangelist, Luis Palau. Born in Argentina, he became a Christian as a boy, moved to the United States to attend seminary and then went on to share the Gospel with tens of millions of people all over the world.
Gaston Pauls, an Argentine actor, plays the lead role in this film. In his first US television interview, he tells Nashville's WSMV-TV that his road to the part - unbeknownst to him at the time - began 15 years ago when he put together a documentary on Luis Palau. Five years later, Palau called him to thank him, saying he had seen it and perhaps at some point God would "provide a way" for the two of them to do something together.
Fast forward to two years ago: Palau's organization reached out to say they were considering making this movie and thought Gaston Pauls may be the man for the lead part. That is, indeed, what came to pass. Pauls, though, says he then faced quite a challenge in having to portray an actual person as opposed to a more traditional fictitious character. He decided he had to get to know the real Luis Palau.
"I wanted to be with him and I met him two years ago in Portland (Oregon) and I saw there his humility, his humanity. So the only thing I had to do was put all that in front of the camera."
Actor Scott Reeves, a veteran of The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, plays Palau's friend and mentor Ray Stedman in this picture. For him, it is no ordinary role.
"I was so honored and excited and grateful to be asked to be a part of this. And to honor the legacy of a man like Luis Palau."
The 84 year old Palau is currently battling stage four lung cancer. His family recently announced it has now spread, adding, however, that he is "absolutely at peace in the Lord." The film will be in theaters for just two days - April 4th and 6th - and it will feature an exclusive message from Luis Palau.