Exile in Nashville

Exile in Nashville is a 2016 drama directed by Gus van Sant with a screenplay by Alan Ball. The film stars British recording artist Alesha in a leading role; she portrays Etta, whose abusive husband takes her on the run after committing a felonious crime. Exile in Nashville was developed especially for Alesha, who also oversaw the compilation of the film's accompanying soundtrack.

Plot
Etta (Alesha) is a woman with an emotionally manipulative and sometimes physically abusive partner. After Partner (Whomever) commits a felonious crime, he moves Etta out of state against her will and fashions new identities for the both of them.

Development
Alesha made a foray into acting with her role in the controversial 2011 musical film Prime Cut, co-starring Putanovska and accompanied by a number one soundtrack. Prime Cut was heavily nominated at the Academy Awards, although it was not nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, or either of the lead acting categories. Alesha and Putanovska ultimately won Best Original Song for the theme song "Who Do You Think You Are". Alesha earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy although she did not win. Upon returning to the limelight in 2014, Alesha expressed a continued interest in acting. Alesha confirmed at the Seattle International Film Festival that she would be starring in a remake of Martin Scorcese's 1974 film Alice Don't Live Here Anymore, which earned Ellen Burstyn an Academy Award for Best Actress and was adapted into the popular television series Alice. James Mangold was later attached as director; after feuding with Mangold, Alesha pulled out of the project. She was attached to provide voice-over work for the animated film The Book of Life, as well as a science fiction thriller entitled Breathing Underwater. Alesha later pulled out of the latter project due to scheduling conflicts.

In February 2015, it was reported that Alesha was working with Gus Van Sant and Alan Ball on an untitled film project created as a vehicle for the star. It was reported that the film would tie in with Alesha's then-upcoming album, which ultimately came to be afterhours (2015) – unrelated to the film. Alesha approached Van Sant as a fan of his work My Own Private Idaho (1991) and Milk (2008). She also cited American Beauty (1999), penned by Ball, as one of her all-time favorite films.

Filming
Principal photography for Exile in Nashville started in March 2015, with filming occurring in April and May, then continuing in autumn.

Promotion and release
Alesha appeared at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2016 to formally announce the film and its impending release. The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2016. It opened to major U.S. markets in a limited release on July 1, 2016, before opening to a wide (and international) release on July 22.