The Calling

The Calling was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, best known for its hit single, "Wherever You Will Go". The group formed in 1999 and released two albums, Camino Palmero and Two, before going on an indefinite "hiatus" since 2005. They reformed in 2013 with a new lineup.

History

Formation (1999-2000)

The band was formed by Alex Band (vocals) and Aaron Kamin (guitar) when Kamin was dating Band's sister. Kamin and Band initially began jamming and writing songs as far back as 1996, and began gigging under the band name "Generation Gap" with a drummer that was twice their age. At this stage, the band also had saxophonist, Benny Golbin, giving the songs a more jazzy Dave Matthews-ish sound. Eventually, Band and Kamin ditched the "Gap" lineup, and briefly switched their name to "Next Door", which itself was a nod to veteran music business executive and Band's neighbor on Camino Palmero, Ron Fair.

Kamin and Band began focusing on songwriting more, and as Band's signature baritone voice began to mature, the duo began leaving demo tapes of new songs and ideas for Fair in his mailbox. They quickly found a similar sound amongst such ready-for-radio rock acts of the early 21st century as Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, Train, and Fastball. By 1999, Fair was impressed enough by the demos to sign them to a record deal with RCA. They changed their name to "The Calling", which reflected the band's renewed sense of purpose.

The Calling (2014 film)

The Calling is a 2014 Canadian crime thriller film adapted from the 2008 novel of the same name by Michael Redhill (published under the pen name Inger Ash Wolfe). The film stars Susan Sarandon, Gil Bellows, Ellen Burstyn, Topher Grace, Donald Sutherland, and Christopher Heyerdahl.

Plot

Inspector Hazel Micallef (Susan Sarandon) is a sheriff in the small Ontario town of Fort Dundas. She is called to check in on elderly Delia Chandler and finds the woman nearly decapitated in her living room. Chandler's mouth is twisted as if she is screaming. The police encounter another gruesome murder where a man's stomach has been fed to some dogs. His face was also twisted into a scream. After a third murder, the police come to believe they are dealing with a serial killer. They discover that the mouths have been positioned to form the syllables of the word "Líbera".

Micallef consults Father Price (Donald Sutherland), a priest in the nearby Catholic church who specializes in Latin. Price explains the various meanings and uses of "libera", including a "Resurrection Prayer", which supposedly holds the power to raise the dead. He claims that Jesus was resurrected through the sacrifice of 12 willing souls. Micallef deduces that the serial killer she is pursuing is contorting his victims' faces into the 12 syllables of the Resurrection Prayer.

The Calling (2009 film)

The Calling is a 2009 British drama film directed by Jan Dunn. Dunn's third feature film, it tells the story of Joanna, played by Emily Beecham, who after graduating from university, goes against her family and friends when she decides to join the closed order of Benedictine nuns. For her debut leading performance in the film, Beacham was awarded a New Talent Trailblazer Award presented by Sean Connery during the film's debut, where it was also selected as 'Best of the Fest' at the 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Cast

Filming locations

The Calling was fully shot in Kent at several locations across the county. Salmestone Grange in Margate was used as the location for the Benedictine Convent, the University of Kent at Canterbury and the Gulbenkian Cafe provided great locations for establishing Jo at her uni, and St Lawrence College in Ramsgate was used for the nuns rooms and hospice scenes. Other Kent filming locations include Barnsole Vineyard, Joss Bay in Broadstairs, Ramsgate High street and Wingham Wildlife Park which doubled as Africa at the end of the film.