The Lonnie Frisbee documentary project seeks to document the life and ministry of the "hippie preacher" who came to prominence during a Christian revival known as the "Jesus movement" and was the catalyst of both the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard church movements as well as spiritual outpourings in Scandinavia and South Africa.Oh, and the film is being put together by David Di Sabatino, who is (or at least was) editor of Worship Leader magazine. Could be interesting!
The goal of this project is to create a film documentary of Lonnie's life that tries to put his brief but highly influential career in perspective. The documentary will include interviews with many of Lonnie's friends and ministry cohorts, never before seen photographs from Jack and Betty Cheetham (who broke the story on the "Jesus Movement" in 1971), unreleased footage of Love Song at Explo '72, snippets from a rarely seen Pyramid Films documentary entitled The Jesus People (1972) and other vintage film footage. We are currently on track to enter the Toronto Film Festival in 2004.
[ snip ]
While still a teenager, his picture was displayed throughout a number of prominent magazines (including Time, Life and Bunte) during the media's yearlong coverage of the "Jesus movement" in 1971. Thousands of people came to faith under his ministry and two of the largest evangelical denominations to emerge in the last 30 years bear his spiritual imprint. Lonnie Frisbee is so integral to the histories of both the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard church movements that it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that none of us would have ever heard of pastor Chuck Smith or "signs & wonders" teacher John Wimber had it not been for Lonnie's influence. And while many of those that were there openly corroborate this statement, Lonnie has not received the attention he deserves.
Sadly, there is a tragic element in Lonnie's life, since he is no longer with us, succumbing to the ravages of the AIDS virus on March 12, 1993. Lonnie Frisbee was very much like Robert Duvall's character in the movie The Apostle, a man who had the power to inspire others through to a dramatic God encounter, but one whose personal struggles ultimately got the best of him.
[ snip ]
There is delicateness in dealing with things that a lot of people find uncomfortable. And the biography of a Christian evangelist who dies as a result of the AIDS virus does indeed present some challenges. I have done a lot of thinking about this issue lately, especially after receiving a letter from one of Lonnie's friends who suggested that since I did not know Lonnie personally, that I had some blinders with regard to who he was. They have cautioned me about talking about some of the negative aspects of Lonnie's life, and I have taken these cautions very seriously and soberly.
With cultural wars at such a heightened state of nastiness, the last thing I want to see is Lonnie's story hijacked and turned into something that it is definitely not. On the other hand, to say nothing about certain things invites the rather naïve insults of people like Hank Hanegraaff who, in his book Christianity in Crisis, slandered Lonnie as a "hypnotist" and suggested that because of Lonnie's sexual struggles he should have never ever been allowed in pulpit.
To both these cautions I can only respond that my goal is to relate this story in as truthful a way I know how. On top of speaking directly to over 500 participants of the "Jesus movement" to get some sense of what happened during this time, I have interviewed more than 100 of Lonnie's friends and acquaintances. You could probably find many faults in my work, but doing the necessary historical spadework is not one of them. I have not relied on one or two or ten people, but multiple sources. And if there is a question about something, I get two or three people to back it up before I allow myself to write or believe anything.
Finally, I would suggest to those who raise the question that some aspect of truth should be hidden -- whether it be a leader who does not want his ministry to be tarred with the guilty by association label or a friend who thinks it best to leave some things unsaid -- I would simply point both to the Bible and the manner it deals frankly with these issues. The Bible is brutally honest about its heroes; their triumphs and failures lay side by side in its pages. If the truth is what sets us free, then we can never suggest anything other than its bald recitation, regardless of where those truths may lead us.
Full Version: Frisbee
Found this fascinating web site on a documentary that is currently in the works on Lonnie Frisbee, a mover-and-shaker in the "Jesus movement" over 30 years ago:
I signed up for this website's e-mail list months ago, and today an e-mai finally arrived:
- - -
Greetings, My name is David Di Sabatino, the fellow that is undertaking the Lonnie Frisbee documentary feature film.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for signing up for this email blast. I will probably be sending things out more regularly as things progress. I have been having fun putting this all together, learning how the technology works and adjusting myself to working with a canvas that is much larger and varied than the printed page (what I am most accustomed to working with).
Second, I'd like to solicit any pictures or video footage that you might have of Lonnie. This is critical. I have uncovered some excellent sources, from people who took pictures back in the day, but there is always a need for more. If you have anything, please write me at this address: sabbi@cox.net
Third, just as an update, we received a generous $15k gift to finish off this project, and are on schedule to be finished by September 2004. We have received an invitation to play the movie at Wheaton College in November, and are looking forward to entering some film festivals in late 2004 and early 2005; the big one being Sundance. As with all movies, we are in need of distribution and will be pounding the pavement in search of someone who can get our little flick onto the big screen.
Finally, we have dug up some interesting artifacts, including pictures of Chuck Smith laying his hands on Lonnie at his ordination and just today I received a copy of a 45 record of Lonnie and Stanley Sjoberg leading the "Jesusfolket" in some praise choruses. Wonderful stuff.
Thanks again for signing up. If you know of anybody that would be interested in investing in our little venture, by all means, send them my way. We have kept costs down to a bare minimum, but there will be a need in the coming months for promotion. Your efforts in this area will be sorely appreciated, as are your prayers.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino
- - -
Greetings, My name is David Di Sabatino, the fellow that is undertaking the Lonnie Frisbee documentary feature film.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for signing up for this email blast. I will probably be sending things out more regularly as things progress. I have been having fun putting this all together, learning how the technology works and adjusting myself to working with a canvas that is much larger and varied than the printed page (what I am most accustomed to working with).
Second, I'd like to solicit any pictures or video footage that you might have of Lonnie. This is critical. I have uncovered some excellent sources, from people who took pictures back in the day, but there is always a need for more. If you have anything, please write me at this address: sabbi@cox.net
Third, just as an update, we received a generous $15k gift to finish off this project, and are on schedule to be finished by September 2004. We have received an invitation to play the movie at Wheaton College in November, and are looking forward to entering some film festivals in late 2004 and early 2005; the big one being Sundance. As with all movies, we are in need of distribution and will be pounding the pavement in search of someone who can get our little flick onto the big screen.
Finally, we have dug up some interesting artifacts, including pictures of Chuck Smith laying his hands on Lonnie at his ordination and just today I received a copy of a 45 record of Lonnie and Stanley Sjoberg leading the "Jesusfolket" in some praise choruses. Wonderful stuff.
Thanks again for signing up. If you know of anybody that would be interested in investing in our little venture, by all means, send them my way. We have kept costs down to a bare minimum, but there will be a need in the coming months for promotion. Your efforts in this area will be sorely appreciated, as are your prayers.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino
Hey just found out about this documentary via the happenstance of internet searches. Before I posted anything I thought I would do a search, a la chattaway and I came across this little number.
I signed up for the email list this morning so we'll see how many months it takes to receive an update.
It seems like perfect timing for such a documentary, especially after the buzz and release of "WHY SHOULD THE DEVIL HAVE ALL THE GOOD MUSIC?"
I am anticipating the viewing and I am going to find out how to get into the Wheaton College screening.
I signed up for the email list this morning so we'll see how many months it takes to receive an update.
It seems like perfect timing for such a documentary, especially after the buzz and release of "WHY SHOULD THE DEVIL HAVE ALL THE GOOD MUSIC?"
I am anticipating the viewing and I am going to find out how to get into the Wheaton College screening.
Yet another e-mail:
- - -
Greetings,
Just updating everyone to what we're doing. We've successfully submitted a rough cut for the Sundance Film Festival, the daddy of all the film festivals (I think they rank Sundance, Cannes and Toronto in importance). Unfortunately, we have to wait until the first week in December to hear back whether we've gained admission.
As I understand it, there are 16 documentaries selected to be juried. This is what we're hoping for, best case scenario. You can be selected to partake in the festival, however, even if you are not selected in the prime 16.
So... if you're prayers don't bounce back off the ceiling... perhaps you can be persuaded to lob one up on our behalf. =)
I just attended the Toronto Film Festival where I watched about 25 movies in 6 days... took in about 7 documentaries. After seeing some excellent filmic storytelling and some not so excellent filmic storytelling (i.e. absolute crap!), I firmly believe that our little flick has a good shot to do something. What? I haven't a clue... but something.
We received a minor flutter of excitement when one of the people interviewed in the breaking Paul Crouch/TBN debacle received a phone message asking if she was the same person that "was in the documentary about the prophet." I called him up and, as I suspected, he had simply found this person's name on our Web site. However, when I related the story to him, he said he definitely was interested to talk to me about it, pitch a story idea to their editors. Alas... we'll see. I am presently writing a piece that I am hoping will either run in the NEW YORKER or ROLLING STONE magazine. Lonnie's life has gone under the radar for way too long. And although I didn't know him, I would think he'd get a kick out of the attention.
The rough cut is 73 minutes long, is chock full of Larry Norman tunes which compliment the narrative of Lonnie's life rather well (since Lonnie and Larry Norman had a lot in common), and is heavy on interviews from friends and cohorts augmented by a lot of rare and never before seen footage and pictures that I have collected over the last little while.
In the interim between now and the December Sundance announcement, we will be showing the movie at a couple of locations, if you wish to see it. On November 10-11 it will be shown at Wheaton College where a friend of mine, Larry Eskridge, is teaching a course on the Jesus Movement (the first of its kind, that I know about). After that, in the Orange County area, Set Free Ministries pastor Phil Aguilar has graciously agreed to play the movie at his church (Santa Ana/Anaheim area). We haven't yet set a date, but I am thinking mid to late November.
Keep checking the Web site (www.lonniefrisbee.com) for updates or email me to inquire. (I don't mind.)
My apologies if you received this email twice.
Thanks for your support!
David Di Sabatino
- - -
Greetings,
Just updating everyone to what we're doing. We've successfully submitted a rough cut for the Sundance Film Festival, the daddy of all the film festivals (I think they rank Sundance, Cannes and Toronto in importance). Unfortunately, we have to wait until the first week in December to hear back whether we've gained admission.
As I understand it, there are 16 documentaries selected to be juried. This is what we're hoping for, best case scenario. You can be selected to partake in the festival, however, even if you are not selected in the prime 16.
So... if you're prayers don't bounce back off the ceiling... perhaps you can be persuaded to lob one up on our behalf. =)
I just attended the Toronto Film Festival where I watched about 25 movies in 6 days... took in about 7 documentaries. After seeing some excellent filmic storytelling and some not so excellent filmic storytelling (i.e. absolute crap!), I firmly believe that our little flick has a good shot to do something. What? I haven't a clue... but something.
We received a minor flutter of excitement when one of the people interviewed in the breaking Paul Crouch/TBN debacle received a phone message asking if she was the same person that "was in the documentary about the prophet." I called him up and, as I suspected, he had simply found this person's name on our Web site. However, when I related the story to him, he said he definitely was interested to talk to me about it, pitch a story idea to their editors. Alas... we'll see. I am presently writing a piece that I am hoping will either run in the NEW YORKER or ROLLING STONE magazine. Lonnie's life has gone under the radar for way too long. And although I didn't know him, I would think he'd get a kick out of the attention.
The rough cut is 73 minutes long, is chock full of Larry Norman tunes which compliment the narrative of Lonnie's life rather well (since Lonnie and Larry Norman had a lot in common), and is heavy on interviews from friends and cohorts augmented by a lot of rare and never before seen footage and pictures that I have collected over the last little while.
In the interim between now and the December Sundance announcement, we will be showing the movie at a couple of locations, if you wish to see it. On November 10-11 it will be shown at Wheaton College where a friend of mine, Larry Eskridge, is teaching a course on the Jesus Movement (the first of its kind, that I know about). After that, in the Orange County area, Set Free Ministries pastor Phil Aguilar has graciously agreed to play the movie at his church (Santa Ana/Anaheim area). We haven't yet set a date, but I am thinking mid to late November.
Keep checking the Web site (www.lonniefrisbee.com) for updates or email me to inquire. (I don't mind.)
My apologies if you received this email twice.
Thanks for your support!
David Di Sabatino
Looks like Peter got to it first and, according to the time span, by quite a margin. Well, at least I can say it took less than a month to get my first email.
Here is the tentative scoop for Chicagonians (and all those who would like to make the trip), a screening at Wheaton College is scheduled for Nov. 11. This is all dependent on whether the documentary is finished by that time.
Just got this new update from David Di Sabatino:[indent]Well, I just returned from Wheaton, Illinois where I played a rough version of Frisbee for a class of about 6 (the first course I know on the Jesus People Movement) and then an open gathering of about 80+ people the next night. These first two showings really served as unofficial focus groups because, by my estimation, the movie is about 80 percent complete.
There was great feedback on both nights as I fielded a lot of questions - great questions - and was given advice on how I could improve the documentary. One fellow who obviously enjoyed the Larry Norman soundtrack said, "Dude, are you going to put out a soundtrack?" (I sure hope so!) I think one of the strong points of the movie is how well the music fits the context of Lonnie's life and helps flesh out the story. For those that don't know, Larry Norman was also one of the icons of the Jesus movement (www.larrynorman.com), much more well known than was Lonnie, but very much imbued with that same challenging counter cultural vibe in his music. I've always turned people on to his music, and one of the high points for me if this thing breaks over my stated goal of having about 200 friends and relatives watch it, one of things that I will enjoy is introducing them to LN's timeless tunes.
I really appreciated the insight of one young woman who observed from her seat at the very top and back of the auditorium that "everyone began to squirm" when some of the more controversial and uncomfortable aspects of the story came up." She thought that was a great thing, since that is the role of a documentary. I agreed, but am pretty sure not everyone shared the sentiment. I returned home to a rather lengthy email from someone who, even though realizing that the movie was only 80 percent finished, claimed that I was "glamorizing sin" and "glorifying a man" (among other things). Those strong emotional reactions, whether positive or negative, are a good initial sign.
I have been fielding some heightened emotional responses from friends and family of Lonnie who are bothered by the fact that I have an agenda to make this film about homosexuality. This despite the fact that the theme, while definitely one strewn throughout the movie, takes up approximately 12 minutes of time. That being said, these are the salient points in my mind with respect to Lonnie's sexuality;
a) he was homosexually abused by a babysitter starting at the age of 8 years old
he then got involved in the Laguna Beach homosexual scene
c) he defined himself as "gay" to his wife shortly before they got married
d) his testimony at early Calvary Chapel was that he was "saved out of the gay lifestyle."
e) there is credible evidence to suggest that this was an area that he struggled
f) he died of AIDS
I am always interested to hear how I am suppsoed to faithfully represent the life of a historical figure without dealing with these facts. I am getting a lot of emotional responses - that people are going to misunderstand; that this is going to hurt people, that all of these are simply allegations from people that didn't know him as well as we did, that those people are lying anyway, that this story is going to get used in the wrong way, etc. They say they don't mind that these things are included, but I am having a hard time believing that. That has been difficult. Needless to say, what's even more difficult is that I really like these people and don't want to hurt them. It's just that my first responsibility is to trying to be as honest as I can, not to "what might happen."
Whatever the case, the showing at Wheaton convinced me that we have the essence of a very powerful story. I watched people leave that theater and clump in groups of six or seven to discuss what they had seen. It was really something to see, as my friend Bob quipped to me, "art in action."
We are still editing, trying to plug some holes and find the right voice to say everything that needs to be said with the proper tone.
The next collective showing will be in the second week in December in Tucson, Arizona. My crazy friend Richard Acevedo is renting out a theater there. E-mail him for details at val2Rich@aol.com.
If any of Lonnie's friends wish to view the film they are more than welcome to contact me and I will arrange something.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino
www.lonniefrisbee.com[/indent]Did you catch this film at Wheaton, asher? I can't wait to see it, myself.
There was great feedback on both nights as I fielded a lot of questions - great questions - and was given advice on how I could improve the documentary. One fellow who obviously enjoyed the Larry Norman soundtrack said, "Dude, are you going to put out a soundtrack?" (I sure hope so!) I think one of the strong points of the movie is how well the music fits the context of Lonnie's life and helps flesh out the story. For those that don't know, Larry Norman was also one of the icons of the Jesus movement (www.larrynorman.com), much more well known than was Lonnie, but very much imbued with that same challenging counter cultural vibe in his music. I've always turned people on to his music, and one of the high points for me if this thing breaks over my stated goal of having about 200 friends and relatives watch it, one of things that I will enjoy is introducing them to LN's timeless tunes.
I really appreciated the insight of one young woman who observed from her seat at the very top and back of the auditorium that "everyone began to squirm" when some of the more controversial and uncomfortable aspects of the story came up." She thought that was a great thing, since that is the role of a documentary. I agreed, but am pretty sure not everyone shared the sentiment. I returned home to a rather lengthy email from someone who, even though realizing that the movie was only 80 percent finished, claimed that I was "glamorizing sin" and "glorifying a man" (among other things). Those strong emotional reactions, whether positive or negative, are a good initial sign.
I have been fielding some heightened emotional responses from friends and family of Lonnie who are bothered by the fact that I have an agenda to make this film about homosexuality. This despite the fact that the theme, while definitely one strewn throughout the movie, takes up approximately 12 minutes of time. That being said, these are the salient points in my mind with respect to Lonnie's sexuality;
a) he was homosexually abused by a babysitter starting at the age of 8 years old
he then got involved in the Laguna Beach homosexual scenec) he defined himself as "gay" to his wife shortly before they got married
d) his testimony at early Calvary Chapel was that he was "saved out of the gay lifestyle."
e) there is credible evidence to suggest that this was an area that he struggled
f) he died of AIDS
I am always interested to hear how I am suppsoed to faithfully represent the life of a historical figure without dealing with these facts. I am getting a lot of emotional responses - that people are going to misunderstand; that this is going to hurt people, that all of these are simply allegations from people that didn't know him as well as we did, that those people are lying anyway, that this story is going to get used in the wrong way, etc. They say they don't mind that these things are included, but I am having a hard time believing that. That has been difficult. Needless to say, what's even more difficult is that I really like these people and don't want to hurt them. It's just that my first responsibility is to trying to be as honest as I can, not to "what might happen."
Whatever the case, the showing at Wheaton convinced me that we have the essence of a very powerful story. I watched people leave that theater and clump in groups of six or seven to discuss what they had seen. It was really something to see, as my friend Bob quipped to me, "art in action."
We are still editing, trying to plug some holes and find the right voice to say everything that needs to be said with the proper tone.
The next collective showing will be in the second week in December in Tucson, Arizona. My crazy friend Richard Acevedo is renting out a theater there. E-mail him for details at val2Rich@aol.com.
If any of Lonnie's friends wish to view the film they are more than welcome to contact me and I will arrange something.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino
www.lonniefrisbee.com[/indent]Did you catch this film at Wheaton, asher? I can't wait to see it, myself.
Hey folks...
Glad to see someone has caught wind of my little flick.
We've submitted the film to Sundance, Slamdance and Doxa (in Vancouver) so far, but am not sure what to expect seeing as the film does touch on what some would consider the fringe elements of evangelical society... and yet, I have definitely sought not to make a "Christian" documentary.
The next showing is in Tucson, Arizona on December 14... but the real kicker, methinks, is that we are trying to rent out a gay theater in Laguna Beach or Long Beach... see how the homosexual community responds.
ciao,
david di sabatino
sabbi@cox.net
Glad to see someone has caught wind of my little flick.
We've submitted the film to Sundance, Slamdance and Doxa (in Vancouver) so far, but am not sure what to expect seeing as the film does touch on what some would consider the fringe elements of evangelical society... and yet, I have definitely sought not to make a "Christian" documentary.
The next showing is in Tucson, Arizona on December 14... but the real kicker, methinks, is that we are trying to rent out a gay theater in Laguna Beach or Long Beach... see how the homosexual community responds.
ciao,
david di sabatino
sabbi@cox.net
Hi David-
Glad you're here... this project is quite intriguing. Keep us posted.
Glad you're here... this project is quite intriguing. Keep us posted.
I wanted to respond with a post a while ago but I have been overwhelmed with so many things lately.
Peter - I did catch the screening at Wheaton. I really enjoyed the documentary and wanted to speak with David afterward but let me tell you, that line was long. In your post you provided David’s overview of that night but there was one other thing that was brought up during the discussion, which I found interesting. A young man asked, “Did they really treat him that way after they found out about his homosexual activity?” “Were they really that harsh, offering no compassion or assistance?” This particular fella had, by his own admission, close ties with the Vineyard Church, so maybe his opinion was a bit skewed. He felt that the churches might not have been fairly represented. They seemed to be portrayed in a cold-hearted way. I could see were this could be interpreted as a film against the church and maybe more about homosexuality but, to be fair, a majority of the documentary focused on Lonnie’s activities in pursuit of God and his relationship with Christ. Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film about drugs. I found the drug use to be more controversial than his homosexuality. It was implied that he did LSD after his conversion, while preaching and leading others to Christ.
My impression was that the story was so interesting it could almost present itself. I can’t imagine how difficult it has been attempting to present all of the information and perspectives while giving each one fair representation allowing the audience to formulate their own opinion regarding the “church” and Lonnie. Overall, it flowed well and I truly appreciated the lack of sensationalism on David's part. However, I could see the story being romanticized a bit. Lonnie was the anointed prophet in the woods, the wandering gentile offering an experience with the spirit. He was part of the hippie generation exploring freedom and seeking out a peaceful, loving existence and he encountered God. He was unconventional, open to God’s voice and willing to be used.
The subtext of this film is more about the state of the church and what side of grace you stand on. The fact is we are all sinners who have fallen short of the Glory of God and come into relationship with Christ by receiving the gift of grace through faith. Unfortunately, the church seems to be holding grace for ransom these days.
Hopefully this film and Lonnie's story will open up discussion within the body of Christ.
Peter - I did catch the screening at Wheaton. I really enjoyed the documentary and wanted to speak with David afterward but let me tell you, that line was long. In your post you provided David’s overview of that night but there was one other thing that was brought up during the discussion, which I found interesting. A young man asked, “Did they really treat him that way after they found out about his homosexual activity?” “Were they really that harsh, offering no compassion or assistance?” This particular fella had, by his own admission, close ties with the Vineyard Church, so maybe his opinion was a bit skewed. He felt that the churches might not have been fairly represented. They seemed to be portrayed in a cold-hearted way. I could see were this could be interpreted as a film against the church and maybe more about homosexuality but, to be fair, a majority of the documentary focused on Lonnie’s activities in pursuit of God and his relationship with Christ. Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film about drugs. I found the drug use to be more controversial than his homosexuality. It was implied that he did LSD after his conversion, while preaching and leading others to Christ.
My impression was that the story was so interesting it could almost present itself. I can’t imagine how difficult it has been attempting to present all of the information and perspectives while giving each one fair representation allowing the audience to formulate their own opinion regarding the “church” and Lonnie. Overall, it flowed well and I truly appreciated the lack of sensationalism on David's part. However, I could see the story being romanticized a bit. Lonnie was the anointed prophet in the woods, the wandering gentile offering an experience with the spirit. He was part of the hippie generation exploring freedom and seeking out a peaceful, loving existence and he encountered God. He was unconventional, open to God’s voice and willing to be used.
The subtext of this film is more about the state of the church and what side of grace you stand on. The fact is we are all sinners who have fallen short of the Glory of God and come into relationship with Christ by receiving the gift of grace through faith. Unfortunately, the church seems to be holding grace for ransom these days.
Hopefully this film and Lonnie's story will open up discussion within the body of Christ.
asher wrote:
: Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than
: his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the
: glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film of about drugs.
Not one person? Interesting!
: Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than
: his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the
: glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film of about drugs.
Not one person? Interesting!
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Nov 26 2004, 06:23 PM)
asher wrote:
: Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than
: his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the
: glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film of about drugs.
Not one person? Interesting!
[right][snapback]49552[/snapback][/right]
: Now that I think about it, I believe there was more mention of his drug use than
: his homosexual activities and yet not one person mentioned the drug use, the
: glorification of drugs or perceived it as a film of about drugs.
Not one person? Interesting!
[right][snapback]49552[/snapback][/right]
Well, not one person during the Q&A session at the Wheaton college screening the night I attended.
Thom, I was glad to see your comments on this.
Thom and I caught Intimate Strangers on Monday night and went out afterwards and chatted for hours. There's no better way to spend an evening than with a very good film and a great friend and his thoughts. Thom was on fire about this Lonnie Frisbee doc. It made me hope for its success -- and hope that I too can see it someday.
-s.
Thom and I caught Intimate Strangers on Monday night and went out afterwards and chatted for hours. There's no better way to spend an evening than with a very good film and a great friend and his thoughts. Thom was on fire about this Lonnie Frisbee doc. It made me hope for its success -- and hope that I too can see it someday.
-s.
I really enjoy a film, fiction or non-fiction, that has the potential to cause the church to take pause and look at itself.
Thanks for the comments.
I have been quite taken by the response to what limited audience has seen it so far. People seem to like it, although I am definitely of the opinion that it could be so much better. I left Wheaton feeling that I was close, but had work to do.
We've found our narrator recently, and I am working on fusing the story line together a little tighter.
With regards to the comments herein, it was a pretty common, albeit difficult to swallow reality, that back in the 1960s LSD worked as sort of a spiritual eye-opener that brought many toward Christian salvation. Lonnie was simply one of many for whom this was a reality. I have interviewed more than 500 participants of the "Jesus movement" and taking drugs was seen as a spiritual lubricant. Obviously, not all were positively affected by it... LSD could have hellacious after affects. But it didn't always have to be that way.
Lots of those early Christians took LSD after their conversion.
I'll tell you another story... David Wilkerson, the Pentecostal evangelist who fashioned an outreach to NY street toughs retold in Cross & the Switchblade, went to see the original House of Acts crew with a movie camera, intent on exposing them for still taking drugs past their conversion points. Well, unlike David's experiences on the streets of New York, California laid-back hippies were a different breed. They didn't take kindly to anyone telling them what to do, and they couldn't see in Scripture where taking of drugs was a problem. So, they didn't stop. They didn't see any incongruencies in this behavior, and a group of Baptist ministers to whom they were submitted didn't think it was that big a deal either (although they did disagree with them on the issue). Wilkerson fashioned a movie called RUNAWAY GENERATION that he took around to all sorts of churches to expose these new "psychedelic evangelists" (of which Lonnie was one of them). I am sure it played well in churches, but these hippie Christians were mystified why this behavior. True to form, they simply shrugged and forgave Wilkerson. (Wilkerson later apologized to Lonnie for the movie, and was so embarrassed by what he did that you cannot find the movie anywhere... I know, I tried!).
As these hippie Christians have told me over the years, they couldn't understand why they needed to tell people what to do with their habitual lives. They simply concentrated on telling people about Jesus... then letting him speak to their habits, be it drug use, homosexuality, jaywalking or egregious pride.
One of the points I wish to get across in this movie as well is... why do we so freak out when we hear of certain sins... and don't really get bothered by others? Why is homosexuality such a big deal? Why did Lonnie get disqualified from ministry because of it when his mentors were such jerks in other areas of their lives? How does this sin matrix work, and who came up with it?
When I returned home, I had a bevy of emails... but one that was particularly interesting came from a 29-year old pastor who accused me of glorifying homosexuality, that someone could watch this film and think it was okay to be gay and Christian. It is funny how people interpret things. From my standpoint, a guy who dies of AIDS screams the wages of sin is death. Do I really need placards with Bible verses denouncing these things... or are people smarter than that?
To quote Larry Norman...
Don't ask me for the answers
I've only found one
that a man leaves his darkness
when he follows the Son
dd
I have been quite taken by the response to what limited audience has seen it so far. People seem to like it, although I am definitely of the opinion that it could be so much better. I left Wheaton feeling that I was close, but had work to do.
We've found our narrator recently, and I am working on fusing the story line together a little tighter.
With regards to the comments herein, it was a pretty common, albeit difficult to swallow reality, that back in the 1960s LSD worked as sort of a spiritual eye-opener that brought many toward Christian salvation. Lonnie was simply one of many for whom this was a reality. I have interviewed more than 500 participants of the "Jesus movement" and taking drugs was seen as a spiritual lubricant. Obviously, not all were positively affected by it... LSD could have hellacious after affects. But it didn't always have to be that way.
Lots of those early Christians took LSD after their conversion.
I'll tell you another story... David Wilkerson, the Pentecostal evangelist who fashioned an outreach to NY street toughs retold in Cross & the Switchblade, went to see the original House of Acts crew with a movie camera, intent on exposing them for still taking drugs past their conversion points. Well, unlike David's experiences on the streets of New York, California laid-back hippies were a different breed. They didn't take kindly to anyone telling them what to do, and they couldn't see in Scripture where taking of drugs was a problem. So, they didn't stop. They didn't see any incongruencies in this behavior, and a group of Baptist ministers to whom they were submitted didn't think it was that big a deal either (although they did disagree with them on the issue). Wilkerson fashioned a movie called RUNAWAY GENERATION that he took around to all sorts of churches to expose these new "psychedelic evangelists" (of which Lonnie was one of them). I am sure it played well in churches, but these hippie Christians were mystified why this behavior. True to form, they simply shrugged and forgave Wilkerson. (Wilkerson later apologized to Lonnie for the movie, and was so embarrassed by what he did that you cannot find the movie anywhere... I know, I tried!).
As these hippie Christians have told me over the years, they couldn't understand why they needed to tell people what to do with their habitual lives. They simply concentrated on telling people about Jesus... then letting him speak to their habits, be it drug use, homosexuality, jaywalking or egregious pride.
One of the points I wish to get across in this movie as well is... why do we so freak out when we hear of certain sins... and don't really get bothered by others? Why is homosexuality such a big deal? Why did Lonnie get disqualified from ministry because of it when his mentors were such jerks in other areas of their lives? How does this sin matrix work, and who came up with it?
When I returned home, I had a bevy of emails... but one that was particularly interesting came from a 29-year old pastor who accused me of glorifying homosexuality, that someone could watch this film and think it was okay to be gay and Christian. It is funny how people interpret things. From my standpoint, a guy who dies of AIDS screams the wages of sin is death. Do I really need placards with Bible verses denouncing these things... or are people smarter than that?
To quote Larry Norman...
Don't ask me for the answers
I've only found one
that a man leaves his darkness
when he follows the Son
dd
Got another update this morning:[indent]Greetings,
Well, we just laid down the narration and are just finalizing the documentary. It took a great deal of time to finish this, more than that thought it would. This isn't an easy story to tell, and figuring out exactly what I wish to say and how to say it has been difficult.
We've put up a few snippets straight from the movie on the site as of a couple of days ago, and will be adding a few more in a week or so. I should have a blog site set up very soon, with more of my ramblings that will help those who are interested keep up to date on what is coursing through my head as we put this thing to bed.
We had a showing in Tucson in December, and it was attended by about 150 people on a Tuesday night (not a usual night the theater was open). It was mainly a church crowd, and I had a great time fielding some excellent questions. I got to meet some people who knew Lonnie, and were excited to see that something of this nature had come about.
This is our year for this thing to make or break, seeing as how we are coing to a close and finishing. My hope is for mainstream distribution. I am not really thinking otherwise. We'll see.
We have trifled with the idea of a late January showing in Orange County somewhere... but I am not sure yet. Keep checking the site for details.
One last thing that is on my mind, something that I have been really grappling with as we finalize this project. Some of the people that have seen the movie, especially family and friends, have objected to my interviewing of people who are in the pro-gay movement. I went out and actually bugged Troy Perry, the founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches, and Mel White, former evangelical author and ghost writer for some of the biggest names in the Religious right, to talk to me about the feelings of persecution they felt because of their predicament. I am saddened by the fear this caused in people who viewed this. Both Troy and Mel openly told me that they had been lampooned by evangelicals in the past, and were skeptical of me coming to interview them.
I assured them that even though I disagreed with their take on the Scriptures, I wanted to include their voices. I am of the opinion that SOME conservative evangelicals marginalized people struggling in the sexual arena, and have created a greater problem by prioritizing sex sins as being more grievous than other sins. (I am aware of the biblical arguments around this... so please do not email me to give me a lesson. I will reiterate this thread on the blog site when it is up and then you can have at it.) I do not disagree with the reality of church discipline for leaders who sin. I am interested, however, in pointing out the incongruities of calling people on the carpet for CERTAIN sins while others go unpunished. Or even worse, while some sins are turned into virtues.
My feeling has always been that this documentary is like Paul at Mars Hill, to allow all the voices to speak in a competition of ideas. I don't necessarily agree with what Mel and Troy say, but I am pretty sure that people watching can discern for themselves what they wish to believe. We hear things we disagree with all day long. What makes this any different? I like honest people, and Mel and Troy are nothing if not downright honest.
One last thing, as I prattle on... I am not sure if I have said this before, but part of the way that I am fashioning this documentary is in the Spirit of Lonnie Frisbee, whom from listening to people tell me about him for ten years I think I have a pretty good handle on how upfront and radical he could be. So, if people are getting nervous about this documentary... maybe that is how it should be. What fun would it be otherwise?
Finally, I wish to announce that my biography on Lonnie's life will be published at the end of this year. Toying with the idea of "Divine Appointment" as a title. We'll see. So, keep checking for more details.
David Di Sabatino[/indent]Looking forward to it...
Well, we just laid down the narration and are just finalizing the documentary. It took a great deal of time to finish this, more than that thought it would. This isn't an easy story to tell, and figuring out exactly what I wish to say and how to say it has been difficult.
We've put up a few snippets straight from the movie on the site as of a couple of days ago, and will be adding a few more in a week or so. I should have a blog site set up very soon, with more of my ramblings that will help those who are interested keep up to date on what is coursing through my head as we put this thing to bed.
We had a showing in Tucson in December, and it was attended by about 150 people on a Tuesday night (not a usual night the theater was open). It was mainly a church crowd, and I had a great time fielding some excellent questions. I got to meet some people who knew Lonnie, and were excited to see that something of this nature had come about.
This is our year for this thing to make or break, seeing as how we are coing to a close and finishing. My hope is for mainstream distribution. I am not really thinking otherwise. We'll see.
We have trifled with the idea of a late January showing in Orange County somewhere... but I am not sure yet. Keep checking the site for details.
One last thing that is on my mind, something that I have been really grappling with as we finalize this project. Some of the people that have seen the movie, especially family and friends, have objected to my interviewing of people who are in the pro-gay movement. I went out and actually bugged Troy Perry, the founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches, and Mel White, former evangelical author and ghost writer for some of the biggest names in the Religious right, to talk to me about the feelings of persecution they felt because of their predicament. I am saddened by the fear this caused in people who viewed this. Both Troy and Mel openly told me that they had been lampooned by evangelicals in the past, and were skeptical of me coming to interview them.
I assured them that even though I disagreed with their take on the Scriptures, I wanted to include their voices. I am of the opinion that SOME conservative evangelicals marginalized people struggling in the sexual arena, and have created a greater problem by prioritizing sex sins as being more grievous than other sins. (I am aware of the biblical arguments around this... so please do not email me to give me a lesson. I will reiterate this thread on the blog site when it is up and then you can have at it.) I do not disagree with the reality of church discipline for leaders who sin. I am interested, however, in pointing out the incongruities of calling people on the carpet for CERTAIN sins while others go unpunished. Or even worse, while some sins are turned into virtues.
My feeling has always been that this documentary is like Paul at Mars Hill, to allow all the voices to speak in a competition of ideas. I don't necessarily agree with what Mel and Troy say, but I am pretty sure that people watching can discern for themselves what they wish to believe. We hear things we disagree with all day long. What makes this any different? I like honest people, and Mel and Troy are nothing if not downright honest.
One last thing, as I prattle on... I am not sure if I have said this before, but part of the way that I am fashioning this documentary is in the Spirit of Lonnie Frisbee, whom from listening to people tell me about him for ten years I think I have a pretty good handle on how upfront and radical he could be. So, if people are getting nervous about this documentary... maybe that is how it should be. What fun would it be otherwise?
Finally, I wish to announce that my biography on Lonnie's life will be published at the end of this year. Toying with the idea of "Divine Appointment" as a title. We'll see. So, keep checking for more details.
David Di Sabatino[/indent]Looking forward to it...
Are we ready for another update?[indent]Greetings,
At long last, we are planning an Orange County screening for Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher to take place on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Phil Aguilar is sponsoring the event to be held during his Thursday night meetings. If you check the www.lonniefrisbee.com site we will have the address up in a day or so.
Please email me at sabbi@cox.net if you are planning to attend so that I can get a handle on approximate attendance size.
The documentary now clocks in at about 1 hour 45 minutes and contains never before seen footage from old documentaries such as The Son Worshipers, The Devout Young, The Jesus People and even footage of Lonnie dancing on the She Bang Dance Show in 1966 hosted by Casey Kasem. The story is really enhanced by the music which includes songs from Love Song, Agape and other early Jesus music bands, but really highlights and showcases the songwriting expertise of Larry Norman who was a friend and contemporary of Lonnie's. The doc also includes hundreds of never before seen pictures, graciously offered for use from the photo files of Jim Johnson, Duane Pederson, Phil & Sandy Mahlow and Jack & Betty Cheetham.
I have enjoyed putting this thing together. It has been a lot of fun, but a lot of work, and I have no idea where this is going, whether or not it will see the light of day to more than folks who come over to dinner at my house. I say that to suggest that if you want to see it, this is the night for it. There will be no more free showings after this. After February 10, you'll have to buy me dinner first.
Finally, my previous emails included reaction resistance to some of the more uncomfortable issues included in what was then a very unpolished and unfinished screening version. In retrospect, some of that was due to the disparity between what was in my head and what was on screen. Suffice it to say that I am thankful for those voices of resistance and caution who helped me to think these things through very carefully, and that I think Frisbee is a sometimes joyful, sometimes uncomfortable but hopefully honest representation of Lonnie's life.
Hope to see you there.
David Di Sabatino
www.lonniefrisbee.com[/indent]Still looking forward to this ...
At long last, we are planning an Orange County screening for Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher to take place on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Phil Aguilar is sponsoring the event to be held during his Thursday night meetings. If you check the www.lonniefrisbee.com site we will have the address up in a day or so.
Please email me at sabbi@cox.net if you are planning to attend so that I can get a handle on approximate attendance size.
The documentary now clocks in at about 1 hour 45 minutes and contains never before seen footage from old documentaries such as The Son Worshipers, The Devout Young, The Jesus People and even footage of Lonnie dancing on the She Bang Dance Show in 1966 hosted by Casey Kasem. The story is really enhanced by the music which includes songs from Love Song, Agape and other early Jesus music bands, but really highlights and showcases the songwriting expertise of Larry Norman who was a friend and contemporary of Lonnie's. The doc also includes hundreds of never before seen pictures, graciously offered for use from the photo files of Jim Johnson, Duane Pederson, Phil & Sandy Mahlow and Jack & Betty Cheetham.
I have enjoyed putting this thing together. It has been a lot of fun, but a lot of work, and I have no idea where this is going, whether or not it will see the light of day to more than folks who come over to dinner at my house. I say that to suggest that if you want to see it, this is the night for it. There will be no more free showings after this. After February 10, you'll have to buy me dinner first.
Finally, my previous emails included reaction resistance to some of the more uncomfortable issues included in what was then a very unpolished and unfinished screening version. In retrospect, some of that was due to the disparity between what was in my head and what was on screen. Suffice it to say that I am thankful for those voices of resistance and caution who helped me to think these things through very carefully, and that I think Frisbee is a sometimes joyful, sometimes uncomfortable but hopefully honest representation of Lonnie's life.
Hope to see you there.
David Di Sabatino
www.lonniefrisbee.com[/indent]Still looking forward to this ...
Here comes another one ...[indent]Greetings,
Just a reminder that our showing for Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher is on Thursday February 10, 2005 at 7:30pm. The location is 6801 Western Ave., Buena Park, CA. (I think I wrote another city that sounded similar last time, so PLEASE take note that it is Buena Park!). There is a map and information on our host at http://setfree.org/church.html
This showing is intended for those that knew Lonnie to take a look and offer some feedback. There probably won't be other showings of this nature, so, if you're going to see it, that night is the night. (Note to those not coming to the showing. I do so appreciate your willingness to sponsor a showing, but at this point we just don't have any plans to do that. We will definitely announce very loudly any DVD release or acceptance to any of the umpteen film festivals that seem to be springing up weekly.)
For those of you media pundits that have inquired about screening copies, I am sending those out next week. In the same day I emailed the religion editors at the LA Times and the Orange County Register and they emailed me back with great interest the very next hour. I thought that said something. (What, I have no idea... but something... .) I think they're going to be at the showing.
I forgot to mention this in earlier updates, but we were rejected by Sundance and Slamdance, but none of the festivals really offer reasons. I wasn't too upset by this since we sent in a half finished rough tape with accompanying papers outlining our intentions for the rest of the movie (as their entry regulations allow). The entries we have sent in since the start of this year are our best foot forward, so, it will be interesting to see what happens.
That being said, one has to be mindful of the realities of the cultural temperature. A story about "Jesus freaks" talking about salvation, miracles and speaking in tongues (all of which the movie includes) might be a tough sell to audiences who look upon that world the same way they would a travelling circus. I have tried to explain those things in an accommodating fashion, and to interject some things that allow people who do not believe any of this stuff is real to enter in at various points. We just inserted footage from the documentary MARJOE (that won the 1972 best documentary Academy award) to suggest that the Pentecostal world doesn't always live up to the ideals it espouses.
And then again, one has to be prepared for the reality that one has created is simply not up to par. There is always that. Nobody thinks when they pour so much time into something that it will one day will come to nothing. But all of us know plenty of projects for which that is a reality. (And, all of us know plenty of projects for which that SHOULD have been the reality.)
Finally, I have to say that most of the reactions that I have obtained are positive. One of my boyhood idols recently chimed in and offered me kudos, and also offered his assistance. That was kind of cool, I must admit.
I have received a bevy of emails from folks who appreciate that this isn't going to be your typical positively-spun Christian fare. Lonnie lived his life out loud, and from what I've been told by his friends, he was not too concerned with his reputation or what people thought about him. I like that about Lonnie; immensely!
Were that we all could live our lives out loud in similar fashion.
See some of you next Thursday.
dd[/indent]
Just a reminder that our showing for Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher is on Thursday February 10, 2005 at 7:30pm. The location is 6801 Western Ave., Buena Park, CA. (I think I wrote another city that sounded similar last time, so PLEASE take note that it is Buena Park!). There is a map and information on our host at http://setfree.org/church.html
This showing is intended for those that knew Lonnie to take a look and offer some feedback. There probably won't be other showings of this nature, so, if you're going to see it, that night is the night. (Note to those not coming to the showing. I do so appreciate your willingness to sponsor a showing, but at this point we just don't have any plans to do that. We will definitely announce very loudly any DVD release or acceptance to any of the umpteen film festivals that seem to be springing up weekly.)
For those of you media pundits that have inquired about screening copies, I am sending those out next week. In the same day I emailed the religion editors at the LA Times and the Orange County Register and they emailed me back with great interest the very next hour. I thought that said something. (What, I have no idea... but something... .) I think they're going to be at the showing.
I forgot to mention this in earlier updates, but we were rejected by Sundance and Slamdance, but none of the festivals really offer reasons. I wasn't too upset by this since we sent in a half finished rough tape with accompanying papers outlining our intentions for the rest of the movie (as their entry regulations allow). The entries we have sent in since the start of this year are our best foot forward, so, it will be interesting to see what happens.
That being said, one has to be mindful of the realities of the cultural temperature. A story about "Jesus freaks" talking about salvation, miracles and speaking in tongues (all of which the movie includes) might be a tough sell to audiences who look upon that world the same way they would a travelling circus. I have tried to explain those things in an accommodating fashion, and to interject some things that allow people who do not believe any of this stuff is real to enter in at various points. We just inserted footage from the documentary MARJOE (that won the 1972 best documentary Academy award) to suggest that the Pentecostal world doesn't always live up to the ideals it espouses.
And then again, one has to be prepared for the reality that one has created is simply not up to par. There is always that. Nobody thinks when they pour so much time into something that it will one day will come to nothing. But all of us know plenty of projects for which that is a reality. (And, all of us know plenty of projects for which that SHOULD have been the reality.)
Finally, I have to say that most of the reactions that I have obtained are positive. One of my boyhood idols recently chimed in and offered me kudos, and also offered his assistance. That was kind of cool, I must admit.
I have received a bevy of emails from folks who appreciate that this isn't going to be your typical positively-spun Christian fare. Lonnie lived his life out loud, and from what I've been told by his friends, he was not too concerned with his reputation or what people thought about him. I like that about Lonnie; immensely!
Were that we all could live our lives out loud in similar fashion.
See some of you next Thursday.
dd[/indent]
Here is the latest:
I am excited to announce that FRISBEE: The LIFE and DEATH of a HIPPIE PREACHER has been accepted to the Newport Beach Film Festival as an official selection.
The festival runs April 21st to the 30th this year. More information can be found on their web site at www.newportbeachfilmfest.com . There is nothing on their site as of yet, but they sent us a confirmation email.
The feature story on the documentary will run in the March 3, 2005 issue of the OC Weekly. It got bumped for a political story by one week. Keep your eyes peeled. We will hopefully have the full transcript of the article with a shot of the cover up as soon as it runs. We will also be editing some footage from the night of the OC screening to give you insight in to the reaction from the first crowd to see a version of the movie that I felt rather comfortable in showing.
Finally, this has been a difficult process, mostly because in doing this story I have listened to so many people pour out their fears, disillusionment, anger and hopes on me. And it has taken an effect. One would be remiss to not see how the creative process is not tinged by what one is going through at the time. Most historians will tell you that their writing is explicitly biographical, and FRISBEE is no different. The choosing of the story, what to include, the point of view that I have taken and even the music... all of it says as much about me as it does tell the story of Lonnie. But in the exposition as such, you see both good and not so good things emerge from your heart. My hope is that it leans to the good and people can tolerate the not so good.
Needless to say, I am honored to have been selected for this festival and where this is all going. (Actually... I am quite freaked by it all... WHOO HOOO!!!!... er... okay...)
ciao,
david di sabatino
I am excited to announce that FRISBEE: The LIFE and DEATH of a HIPPIE PREACHER has been accepted to the Newport Beach Film Festival as an official selection.
The festival runs April 21st to the 30th this year. More information can be found on their web site at www.newportbeachfilmfest.com . There is nothing on their site as of yet, but they sent us a confirmation email.
The feature story on the documentary will run in the March 3, 2005 issue of the OC Weekly. It got bumped for a political story by one week. Keep your eyes peeled. We will hopefully have the full transcript of the article with a shot of the cover up as soon as it runs. We will also be editing some footage from the night of the OC screening to give you insight in to the reaction from the first crowd to see a version of the movie that I felt rather comfortable in showing.
Finally, this has been a difficult process, mostly because in doing this story I have listened to so many people pour out their fears, disillusionment, anger and hopes on me. And it has taken an effect. One would be remiss to not see how the creative process is not tinged by what one is going through at the time. Most historians will tell you that their writing is explicitly biographical, and FRISBEE is no different. The choosing of the story, what to include, the point of view that I have taken and even the music... all of it says as much about me as it does tell the story of Lonnie. But in the exposition as such, you see both good and not so good things emerge from your heart. My hope is that it leans to the good and people can tolerate the not so good.
Needless to say, I am honored to have been selected for this festival and where this is all going. (Actually... I am quite freaked by it all... WHOO HOOO!!!!... er... okay...)
ciao,
david di sabatino
The First Jesus Freak
A pot-smokin', LSD-droppin' seeker turned Calvary Chapel into a household name. So why is Lonnie Frisbee missing from church history?
OC Weekly, March 4
- - -
FWIW, I watched a screener of this documentary earlier today. Definitely interesting material, and full of classic Christian tunes by Larry Norman, Love Song, Chuck Girard and probably others that I didn't recognize. (Somewhat incongruously, U2's 'One' also figures on the soundtrack.) Feels a bit rough in some ways -- there is virtually no consistency in terms of the visual (or even audio) quality of the interview footage, and the chronology is a bit unclear in places (e.g., between archival images of things that happened circa 1974, a guy refers to a sermon of Lonnie's that referenced Star Wars, which did not come out until 1977; plus it wasn't entirely clear to me where Lonnie's marriage and divorce fit on the Calvary Chapel / Vineyard timeline). And I wonder if there was any way the film could have gone into MORE detail about Lonnie's homosexuality -- Lonnie's ex-wife is interviewed at length, but we never see or hear his male lovers, and it almost feels like they're being kept in the closet, as it were (though it's probably not because the film wants to dodge the pro-gay point of view; Mel White and Bishop Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Community Church are both interviewed, though it doesn't seem they had any direct connection to Lonnie himself -- they're just sort of there to address the question of whether the church makes a point of ignoring gay people).
Anyway, it's worth seeing -- and I understand it may be tweaked some more, before it premieres at Newport in a month and a half.
A pot-smokin', LSD-droppin' seeker turned Calvary Chapel into a household name. So why is Lonnie Frisbee missing from church history?
OC Weekly, March 4
- - -
FWIW, I watched a screener of this documentary earlier today. Definitely interesting material, and full of classic Christian tunes by Larry Norman, Love Song, Chuck Girard and probably others that I didn't recognize. (Somewhat incongruously, U2's 'One' also figures on the soundtrack.) Feels a bit rough in some ways -- there is virtually no consistency in terms of the visual (or even audio) quality of the interview footage, and the chronology is a bit unclear in places (e.g., between archival images of things that happened circa 1974, a guy refers to a sermon of Lonnie's that referenced Star Wars, which did not come out until 1977; plus it wasn't entirely clear to me where Lonnie's marriage and divorce fit on the Calvary Chapel / Vineyard timeline). And I wonder if there was any way the film could have gone into MORE detail about Lonnie's homosexuality -- Lonnie's ex-wife is interviewed at length, but we never see or hear his male lovers, and it almost feels like they're being kept in the closet, as it were (though it's probably not because the film wants to dodge the pro-gay point of view; Mel White and Bishop Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Community Church are both interviewed, though it doesn't seem they had any direct connection to Lonnie himself -- they're just sort of there to address the question of whether the church makes a point of ignoring gay people).
Anyway, it's worth seeing -- and I understand it may be tweaked some more, before it premieres at Newport in a month and a half.
Thanks for posting the link Peter. I would agree with your assessment.
March 4th email update:
Well, we are the cover story of the OC Weekly this week. If you are in the vicinty, you can go grab a copy at one of the locations. If you aren't, you can contact the magazine directly and purchase a copy. Go to www.ocweekly.com and check it out.
For being a magazine with an alternative slant, they did a pretty good job of parsing the documentary. There were a few gaffes. The one that really made me wince was the quote of Chuck Smith Jr. with regard to Lonnie's real sin being that he simply "got caught." Chuck wanted to be inclusive, but he was very careful in the movie to say that he wasn't arguing license. But I can live with that. Hats off to Matt Coker who did a fine job writing it up. He has been the champion for the film and is the reason we were accepted to the Newport Beach Film Festival.
We have entered a number of others, including Cannes and a bunch in the Los Angeles area. Later on this year we will try for Toronto. I would love to see it played in my home town at a festival I have attended the last two years running. I will keep you posted on how we do from here on in.
I've been interviewed by a magazine called Heaven's Metal (a Christian hard rock music magazine... I kid you not), and one of the film editors for Christianity Today emailed and wanted to do a preliminary piece. So, I am excited about the fuss we are getting, and I am hoping that it will be able to bridge this dumb gap that exists between the secular & sacred worlds... as if those things are not mixed together in the first place.
In the next few days we are going to be putting up snippets from the night of the screening. One of the most poignant moments came when someone was bringing up the point about the hypocrisy of the institutional churches, and someone else gave cautioned against that sort of sentiment by saying that each of the protagonists in the movie simply had blind spots. Lonnie, Chuck Smith & John Wimber all were used of God. They could also be very human. I do not think that this documentary is harder on Lonnie's mentors than it is on him. I didn't pull any punches. Lonnie isn't glorified in this piece. I think the humanness of the story by these leaders, though, is what really resonates with people. I wish we could allow leaders permission to fail, to stand up and say, "I messed up. Let's move on." I am not sure the holiness impulse that still reverberates throughout conservative evangelical circles offers us that necessary room to be human. That isn't arguing license. It is just asking for room to breathe, to be human. I have been on both sides of that coin. I have been one who accuses and one who has been accused. Neither position seems acceptable to me anymore.
To conclude, it looks as though our little documentary has some legs, and I am excited at the prospect of seeing where it can go from here.
david di sabatino
March 4th email update:
Well, we are the cover story of the OC Weekly this week. If you are in the vicinty, you can go grab a copy at one of the locations. If you aren't, you can contact the magazine directly and purchase a copy. Go to www.ocweekly.com and check it out.
For being a magazine with an alternative slant, they did a pretty good job of parsing the documentary. There were a few gaffes. The one that really made me wince was the quote of Chuck Smith Jr. with regard to Lonnie's real sin being that he simply "got caught." Chuck wanted to be inclusive, but he was very careful in the movie to say that he wasn't arguing license. But I can live with that. Hats off to Matt Coker who did a fine job writing it up. He has been the champion for the film and is the reason we were accepted to the Newport Beach Film Festival.
We have entered a number of others, including Cannes and a bunch in the Los Angeles area. Later on this year we will try for Toronto. I would love to see it played in my home town at a festival I have attended the last two years running. I will keep you posted on how we do from here on in.
I've been interviewed by a magazine called Heaven's Metal (a Christian hard rock music magazine... I kid you not), and one of the film editors for Christianity Today emailed and wanted to do a preliminary piece. So, I am excited about the fuss we are getting, and I am hoping that it will be able to bridge this dumb gap that exists between the secular & sacred worlds... as if those things are not mixed together in the first place.
In the next few days we are going to be putting up snippets from the night of the screening. One of the most poignant moments came when someone was bringing up the point about the hypocrisy of the institutional churches, and someone else gave cautioned against that sort of sentiment by saying that each of the protagonists in the movie simply had blind spots. Lonnie, Chuck Smith & John Wimber all were used of God. They could also be very human. I do not think that this documentary is harder on Lonnie's mentors than it is on him. I didn't pull any punches. Lonnie isn't glorified in this piece. I think the humanness of the story by these leaders, though, is what really resonates with people. I wish we could allow leaders permission to fail, to stand up and say, "I messed up. Let's move on." I am not sure the holiness impulse that still reverberates throughout conservative evangelical circles offers us that necessary room to be human. That isn't arguing license. It is just asking for room to breathe, to be human. I have been on both sides of that coin. I have been one who accuses and one who has been accused. Neither position seems acceptable to me anymore.
To conclude, it looks as though our little documentary has some legs, and I am excited at the prospect of seeing where it can go from here.
david di sabatino
Forgotten story of Jesus Movement figure explored
It had to happen sometime: a ChristianWeek columnist has finally directed a film. And what an inspiring, unsettling, thought-provoking film it is.
Peter T. Chattaway, ChristianWeek, April 1
Ears on Their Heads, But They Don't Hear
Spreading the real message of Frisbee
OC Weekly, April 15
The film premieres at the Newport Beach Film Festival this Sunday, April 24.
It had to happen sometime: a ChristianWeek columnist has finally directed a film. And what an inspiring, unsettling, thought-provoking film it is.
Peter T. Chattaway, ChristianWeek, April 1
Ears on Their Heads, But They Don't Hear
Spreading the real message of Frisbee
OC Weekly, April 15
The film premieres at the Newport Beach Film Festival this Sunday, April 24.
This is going to be at the Newport Beach Film Festival next Sunday, I'm going to try to get to it. (Doesn't appeal to my wife, but she can probably find her own movie to see.)
Welcome back, PTC!
Welcome back, PTC!
Thanks, Darrel. FWIW, my interview with the film's director is up at CT Movies now, and I plan to post an even longer version here in a few days.
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Apr 19 2005, 03:42 PM)
FWIW, my interview with the film's director is up at CT Movies now, and I plan to post an even longer version here in a few days.[right][snapback]64379[/snapback][/right]
FWIW, that longer version is now up.
This is driving me crazy! I've only had time to read your ChristianWeek piece and am eager to finish the interviews. Nice job, Peter. I only hop this thing statrs floating East.
OK, I've seen this and you haven't! 
(as close as I can come to a gloating smilie)
I'm still working though my thoughts. There was a Q&A after the screening with the director, Lonnie's brother and ex-wife.
Now that I've seen it I'm anxious to read Peter's stuff.
Some brief notes:
Instead of the standard "a film by..." this is "a Bible story by..."
This screening was full. no doubt because it held such local interest. I'm sure many people were there because (a) they had actually known him, or (B.) their pastor was in the film.
It is a pretty decent look at a certain segment of the 60's/70's Jesus Movement.
The film doesn't include some of the stories of reconciliation that some church people tried to make with Lonnie in his final days. When asked about this, DiSabitino said he meant it that way. He really doesn't respect the last hour attempts (I think he could use a bit a theological thinking here). He may yet reedit to show some of that.
One of the things that struck me (coming from a denomination that has openly gay clergy) is that when the discussion was going on after he is booted fro The Vineyard, one of the people says that churches wanted his anointing, but not him. My denomination wouldn't have a problem with him being gay, we would be very uncomfortable with the anointing.
(as close as I can come to a gloating smilie)I'm still working though my thoughts. There was a Q&A after the screening with the director, Lonnie's brother and ex-wife.
Now that I've seen it I'm anxious to read Peter's stuff.
Some brief notes:
Instead of the standard "a film by..." this is "a Bible story by..."
This screening was full. no doubt because it held such local interest. I'm sure many people were there because (a) they had actually known him, or (B.) their pastor was in the film.
It is a pretty decent look at a certain segment of the 60's/70's Jesus Movement.
The film doesn't include some of the stories of reconciliation that some church people tried to make with Lonnie in his final days. When asked about this, DiSabitino said he meant it that way. He really doesn't respect the last hour attempts (I think he could use a bit a theological thinking here). He may yet reedit to show some of that.
One of the things that struck me (coming from a denomination that has openly gay clergy) is that when the discussion was going on after he is booted fro The Vineyard, one of the people says that churches wanted his anointing, but not him. My denomination wouldn't have a problem with him being gay, we would be very uncomfortable with the anointing.
Darrel Manson wrote:
: OK, I've seen this and you haven't!
Y'know, that's even true of me -- I have seen one of the rough cuts, but not the version that you saw tonight. I'm envious!
: The film doesn't include some of the stories of reconciliation that some church people
: tried to make with Lonnie in his final days. When asked about this, DiSabitino said he
: meant it that way. He really doesn't respect the last hour attempts (I think he could
: use a bit a theological thinking here). He may yet reedit to show some of that.
Sounds interesting -- care to flesh this out more? What sort of theological thinking do you have in mind? What sort of "last hour attempts" were there?
: OK, I've seen this and you haven't!
Y'know, that's even true of me -- I have seen one of the rough cuts, but not the version that you saw tonight. I'm envious!
: The film doesn't include some of the stories of reconciliation that some church people
: tried to make with Lonnie in his final days. When asked about this, DiSabitino said he
: meant it that way. He really doesn't respect the last hour attempts (I think he could
: use a bit a theological thinking here). He may yet reedit to show some of that.
Sounds interesting -- care to flesh this out more? What sort of theological thinking do you have in mind? What sort of "last hour attempts" were there?
During his final days, Wimber paid for or put up Lonnie and his nurse on Balboa Is. Story is that Wimber had a word for God that he'd better do something. Lonnie's brother said that they had no money and prayed to God for help and that they'd even take it from Wimber. (got a good laugh in the theater)
Chuck Smith called a bit before Lonnie died and spoke in father/son terms. Apparently Greg Laurie also made some sort of reconciliation as well.
It could well be that DiSabitino thinks it was too little too late or that he doubts the sincerity of such late reconciliations. That, I think, is his call to make in terms of including such stories in the film. Although I think these reconciliations were more on a personal level than on an institutional/ecclesiastical level.
Theologically, I think the understanding of God is that God accepts such last hour reconciliations. Perhaps he should consider stories like the Prodigal Son or the Workers in the Vineyard as he considers what to make of the reconciliations.
Chuck Smith called a bit before Lonnie died and spoke in father/son terms. Apparently Greg Laurie also made some sort of reconciliation as well.
It could well be that DiSabitino thinks it was too little too late or that he doubts the sincerity of such late reconciliations. That, I think, is his call to make in terms of including such stories in the film. Although I think these reconciliations were more on a personal level than on an institutional/ecclesiastical level.
Theologically, I think the understanding of God is that God accepts such last hour reconciliations. Perhaps he should consider stories like the Prodigal Son or the Workers in the Vineyard as he considers what to make of the reconciliations.
I saw a rough cut back in November 2004 so I would have to join the Darrel Envy club.
The Q&A after the viewing I attended didn't mention any last minute attempts to reconcile with Lonnie and I had wondered about that. I am very interested to here about those intentions and what those efforts included.
The Q&A after the viewing I attended didn't mention any last minute attempts to reconcile with Lonnie and I had wondered about that. I am very interested to here about those intentions and what those efforts included.
One thing about the film is that I think it treats people fairly. And some of the people in the film really come across well. (I say this as an outsider to this facet of the church.) Chuck Smith, Jr., especially shines.
I got to Peter's interview today, and it does a good job of shedding light on the film. I'd agree with Di Sabatino that it would be a good film to include in Gay and Lesbian film festivals, I hope it gets there. I also agree with him that Frisbee is not a poster child for gay Christianity - in part because he was never comfortable with his homosexuality.
One of the fascinating things about Frisbee is that even someone as cynical as I who distrusts the Chuck Smiths and John Wimbers (and even when they are treated kindly in this films I'm thinking, "yeah, right!"), but I can't bring myself to be that cynical about Frisbee. His theology may have been questionable, but I never in this film doubt his motives.
I got to Peter's interview today, and it does a good job of shedding light on the film. I'd agree with Di Sabatino that it would be a good film to include in Gay and Lesbian film festivals, I hope it gets there. I also agree with him that Frisbee is not a poster child for gay Christianity - in part because he was never comfortable with his homosexuality.
One of the fascinating things about Frisbee is that even someone as cynical as I who distrusts the Chuck Smiths and John Wimbers (and even when they are treated kindly in this films I'm thinking, "yeah, right!"), but I can't bring myself to be that cynical about Frisbee. His theology may have been questionable, but I never in this film doubt his motives.
QUOTE(Darrel Manson @ Apr 24 2005, 10:22 PM)
One of the things that struck me (coming from a denomination that has openly gay clergy) is that when the discussion was going on after he is booted fro The Vineyard, one of the people says that churches wanted his anointing, but not him. My denomination wouldn't have a problem with him being gay, we would be very uncomfortable with the anointing.
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Great line there Darrell. If this is too personal, I understand, but I'm curious as to how you would rank on this continuum. BTW, I am exceedingly, violation of Ten Commandments envious of you. One of the few times that I would wish to live in So. Cal.
Not too personal. I'm pretty much where I describe my denomination. I don't have a problem with gay clergy. My church hasn't asked itself if it should be open and affirming, but I would categorize myself there. (Any who take issue with this should probably call me out in the religion forum or find where we've talked about this in the past.) I'm also more than a bit uncomfortable with Pentecostalism and charismata. My feelings there are probably beyond skepticism into cynicism. Yet inspite of those feelings, I still sense an authenticity in Frisbee, at least at a personal level.
QUOTE(Darrel Manson @ Apr 26 2005, 07:13 PM)
I'm also more than a bit uncomfortable with Pentecostalism and charismata. My feelings there are probably beyond skepticism into cynicism. Yet inspite of those feelings, I still sense an authenticity in Frisbee, at least at a personal level.
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OK, I figured you would be where you are on the gay issue, it was actually this that I was looking for. Personally, I'm not quite cynical, but open for anything at least once. Still not having seen the film
, it is hard to escape the sense of authenticity from all that I have read so far. It is when this authenticity is present in charismata that I am most open and curious. I better stop now. Anything more and this should float to the "Religion" forum.
Chuck Girard was here in our offices this afternoon, and I asked him about this doc (he's in it -- or, at least, was filmed to be in it; neither he nor I have seen it yet).
Anyway, Girard expressed some reservation about David Di Sabatino's take on things. He doesn't feel confident that he (DDS) accurately reflects the history of that era -- neither the history of the Jesus People movement nor Lonnie's story. Essentially, he agreed that Frisbee's memory has been wrongly purged from the record, but his concern seems to be that Di Sabatino might go beyond a reasonable restoration of that memory, and possibly make more of Lonnie than might be warranted. FWIW.
I hope to get more time with Girard next week to hear more about Frisbee himself, as we only had about 5 minutes today.
Anyway, Girard expressed some reservation about David Di Sabatino's take on things. He doesn't feel confident that he (DDS) accurately reflects the history of that era -- neither the history of the Jesus People movement nor Lonnie's story. Essentially, he agreed that Frisbee's memory has been wrongly purged from the record, but his concern seems to be that Di Sabatino might go beyond a reasonable restoration of that memory, and possibly make more of Lonnie than might be warranted. FWIW.
I hope to get more time with Girard next week to hear more about Frisbee himself, as we only had about 5 minutes today.
Tim Willson wrote:
: Chuck Girard was here in our offices this afternoon, and I asked him about this doc
: (he's in it -- or, at least, was filmed to be in it; neither he nor I have seen it yet).
*sniff*
If you'd read my review, you'd know that he was in it.
But no one reads my reviews.
Ever.
*sniff*
(I know, I know, M. Dale is much better at this sort of self-mockery than I am, but I HAVE to TRY...)
: Chuck Girard was here in our offices this afternoon, and I asked him about this doc
: (he's in it -- or, at least, was filmed to be in it; neither he nor I have seen it yet).
*sniff*
If you'd read my review, you'd know that he was in it.
But no one reads my reviews.
Ever.
*sniff*
(I know, I know, M. Dale is much better at this sort of self-mockery than I am, but I HAVE to TRY...)
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Apr 28 2005, 08:32 PM)
Tim Willson wrote:
: Chuck Girard was here in our offices this afternoon, and I asked him about this doc
: (he's in it -- or, at least, was filmed to be in it; neither he nor I have seen it yet).
*sniff*
If you'd read my review, you'd know that he was in it.
But no one reads my reviews.
Ever.
*sniff*
(I know, I know, M. Dale is much better at this sort of self-mockery than I am, but I HAVE to TRY...)
[right][snapback]65323[/snapback][/right]
: Chuck Girard was here in our offices this afternoon, and I asked him about this doc
: (he's in it -- or, at least, was filmed to be in it; neither he nor I have seen it yet).
*sniff*
If you'd read my review, you'd know that he was in it.
But no one reads my reviews.
Ever.
*sniff*
(I know, I know, M. Dale is much better at this sort of self-mockery than I am, but I HAVE to TRY...)
[right][snapback]65323[/snapback][/right]
This isn't really worth your effort, especially after announcing that you're "number 4"
Maybe Peter is like those films that make the critics' top ten lists, but that nobody else has ever seen.
They may not have been seen but people have heard of them.
I had this same thought after seeing it. No one is really throwing stones but there were a couple of undercover cheap shots taken at Chuck Smith and John Wimbers. In all fairness to David D., Chuck Smith was asked to be interviewed and declined, as I understand it.
QUOTE("Darrel Manson")
One thing about the film is that I think it treats people fairly.
I had this same thought after seeing it. No one is really throwing stones but there were a couple of undercover cheap shots taken at Chuck Smith and John Wimbers. In all fairness to David D., Chuck Smith was asked to be interviewed and declined, as I understand it.
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Apr 28 2005, 05:32 PM)
If you'd read my review, you'd know that he was in it.
I read the interview with DDS -- where is the review?
oh, wait -- I found it by clicking on your name at the top of the interview here. Are your reviews collected and organized somewhere? Sorry -- maybe I'm half-blind.
QUOTE(asher @ Apr 29 2005, 09:46 AM)
This isn't really worht your effort, especially after announcing that you're "number 4"
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HEY HEY! I'M Number 4 and proud of it!
QUOTE(Rich Kennedy @ Apr 29 2005, 07:23 PM)
QUOTE(asher @ Apr 29 2005, 09:46 AM)
This isn't really worht your effort, especially after announcing that you're "number 4"
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HEY HEY! I'M Number 4 and proud of it!
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Tried to correct my typo but you got me first.
I finally read the interview and not because you tried to pull a Prins either! WOW, great job Peter. In my experience, a good interview among other things pulls out great thoughts and quotes from the subject:
QUOTE
I would go even further. I thought one of the great scenes of Bowling For Columbine was when Micheal Moore asked Marilyn Manson, "What would you say to the kids of Columbine?" And Marilyn said, "I would say nothing, I would just listen." And I think we need to listen to their (gay folk) heart.
Darrel Manson wrote:
: Maybe Peter is like those films that make the critics' top ten lists, but that nobody else
: has ever seen.
[ LOL! ]
Tim Willson wrote:
: I read the interview with DDS -- where is the review?
I linked to it 12 days ago in this post.
: Maybe Peter is like those films that make the critics' top ten lists, but that nobody else
: has ever seen.
[ LOL! ]
Tim Willson wrote:
: I read the interview with DDS -- where is the review?
I linked to it 12 days ago in this post.
I'm lamenting that I hadn't discovered this thread until a few days after it played in Newport Beach. That's a pretty long drive, but still probably the best opportunity I would have had to see it. Any word on if it will be playing in Socal again in the next few weeks?
Edit: Hmm the website mentions a May 20 screening in Capistrano Beach. I'm not sure I want to see it badly enough to drive 100 miles and stand in line with 600 people, though.
Sabbi, see if you can get a screening at the Westlake Village Twin... I'd be there.
Edit: Hmm the website mentions a May 20 screening in Capistrano Beach. I'm not sure I want to see it badly enough to drive 100 miles and stand in line with 600 people, though.
Sabbi, see if you can get a screening at the Westlake Village Twin... I'd be there.
I wouldn't look for it anytime soon. The Capistrano showing is at Chuck Smith, Jr.'s church. He probably came across better than anyone else in the film.
So far, this film doesn't even have an IMDB page.
So far, this film doesn't even have an IMDB page.
Today's e-mail update, entitled 'Newport Festival - the aftermath':[indent]Well, our showing at the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival was a smash success! By the time of our screening on Sunday April 24th at 2:30 pm, there were people lined up down three blocks outside the historic Lido Theater waiting to get in. As well, there was a graffiti-covered hippie bus from a "get back to the early church" type community that had pulled up in front of the theater. They were handing out cookies and iced tea and passing out their flyers to folks, giving the day a real nostalgic vibe.
It was surreal for sure, but there was a real buzz going throughout the crowd. From what my cameraman told me after taking pre-screening interviews, there were a lot of people wondering what they were about to see, whether it was on the up and up or not. From the responses I received afterward, I think people were generally pleased.
Having 600 people jammed into a theater to watch something that you have put together is a very interesting feeling. You start to interpret every laugh or cough as a personal triumph or slight; it's nerve-wracking. And I am finding that when it is a largely Christian group, the film seems to be embraced wholeheartedly since it comes from an insider perspective. A lot of the language and rituals that are described are things that Christians understand a lot more easily than someone who is watching this sort of stuff for the first time, and thus, the audience there was laughing and gasping at all the right places... it couldn't have gone better as far as I was interpreting the audience reaction. The biggest laugh was obtained by a new line put in from Ted Wise, the original Jesus freak, who talked of his first reading of the New Testament and how that other Christians had talked of Jesus like "he was a Republican," but upon reading the New Testament he found Jesus "to be so cool." I got a kick out of that because my friend Susan, a staunch Republican and the first to screen it with that statement in there, had turned up her nose at that line.
About 400 people stayed afterward for the Q&A time which consisted mainly of church-related questions. Did Chuck Smith, Sr. see the movie? Yes. Did I give any of the leaders represented in the movie an opportunity to respond or be in the movie? Yes, many times. The most telling moment came when we started to discuss whether there was any reconciliation with Lonnie and his mentors. One woman brought up the point that John Wimber had paid for Lonnie's final few months and put him up in a residence. People seem to think this is a gracious. My comment to that was I wasn't sure what an eleventh hour reconciliation says. Personally, a rich man sticking his hand into his pocket strikes me as it did Jesus in the parable of the widow and her
two mites; big deal.
That being said, because Lonnie was so desirous of some sort of healing to come out of his funeral, those last minute reconciliations are going to be put in there as a sign that Lonnie did come up out of his downward spiral in the last two years of his life and seek to make restitution. All these screenings serve as a good way of tempering the film. I go back to the drawing board every time and think whether there needs to be stuff added or taken away. So, even if you've seen it before, it will be different by the next time you see it.
Once we left the theater, things were hopping. The people coming in to the next showing were all asking what people just had seen. The buzz was electric. The theater owner, Larry, shook my hand and said, "To have 600 people on a Sunday afternoon? You really have something here!" The festival programmers told me that I had "made the festival" for them, which was nice to hear. Personally, I exited the theater at 4:45pm and didn't stop talking until about 6:30pm. Lots of comments and people interested in hearing what the next move is going to be. For the last 15 minutes I went on the bus and had a cookie and some iced tea and my email friend Wade Skinner sang a song about "How the Jesus Movement Never Got Off the Ground." A fitting end to a long day.
*********************
The next screening for FRISBEE: The LIFE and DEATH of a HIPPIE PREACHER will be on May 20th at 7:00 pm at Capo Beach Calvary in Capistrano Beach, CA. Chuck Smith, Jr. emailed after the screening and wanted to have it at his church.
*********************
There is no word on anything tangible toward distribution as of yet, but we are moving toward talking through a soundtrack release.
*********************
We've entered more festivals and will be hearing back mid-May as to whether we've gained entrance. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks to all those who came to the Newport showing and making that an extra-special day.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino[/indent]That means he's thanking YOU, Darrel!
It was surreal for sure, but there was a real buzz going throughout the crowd. From what my cameraman told me after taking pre-screening interviews, there were a lot of people wondering what they were about to see, whether it was on the up and up or not. From the responses I received afterward, I think people were generally pleased.
Having 600 people jammed into a theater to watch something that you have put together is a very interesting feeling. You start to interpret every laugh or cough as a personal triumph or slight; it's nerve-wracking. And I am finding that when it is a largely Christian group, the film seems to be embraced wholeheartedly since it comes from an insider perspective. A lot of the language and rituals that are described are things that Christians understand a lot more easily than someone who is watching this sort of stuff for the first time, and thus, the audience there was laughing and gasping at all the right places... it couldn't have gone better as far as I was interpreting the audience reaction. The biggest laugh was obtained by a new line put in from Ted Wise, the original Jesus freak, who talked of his first reading of the New Testament and how that other Christians had talked of Jesus like "he was a Republican," but upon reading the New Testament he found Jesus "to be so cool." I got a kick out of that because my friend Susan, a staunch Republican and the first to screen it with that statement in there, had turned up her nose at that line.
About 400 people stayed afterward for the Q&A time which consisted mainly of church-related questions. Did Chuck Smith, Sr. see the movie? Yes. Did I give any of the leaders represented in the movie an opportunity to respond or be in the movie? Yes, many times. The most telling moment came when we started to discuss whether there was any reconciliation with Lonnie and his mentors. One woman brought up the point that John Wimber had paid for Lonnie's final few months and put him up in a residence. People seem to think this is a gracious. My comment to that was I wasn't sure what an eleventh hour reconciliation says. Personally, a rich man sticking his hand into his pocket strikes me as it did Jesus in the parable of the widow and her
two mites; big deal.
That being said, because Lonnie was so desirous of some sort of healing to come out of his funeral, those last minute reconciliations are going to be put in there as a sign that Lonnie did come up out of his downward spiral in the last two years of his life and seek to make restitution. All these screenings serve as a good way of tempering the film. I go back to the drawing board every time and think whether there needs to be stuff added or taken away. So, even if you've seen it before, it will be different by the next time you see it.
Once we left the theater, things were hopping. The people coming in to the next showing were all asking what people just had seen. The buzz was electric. The theater owner, Larry, shook my hand and said, "To have 600 people on a Sunday afternoon? You really have something here!" The festival programmers told me that I had "made the festival" for them, which was nice to hear. Personally, I exited the theater at 4:45pm and didn't stop talking until about 6:30pm. Lots of comments and people interested in hearing what the next move is going to be. For the last 15 minutes I went on the bus and had a cookie and some iced tea and my email friend Wade Skinner sang a song about "How the Jesus Movement Never Got Off the Ground." A fitting end to a long day.
*********************
The next screening for FRISBEE: The LIFE and DEATH of a HIPPIE PREACHER will be on May 20th at 7:00 pm at Capo Beach Calvary in Capistrano Beach, CA. Chuck Smith, Jr. emailed after the screening and wanted to have it at his church.
*********************
There is no word on anything tangible toward distribution as of yet, but we are moving toward talking through a soundtrack release.
*********************
We've entered more festivals and will be hearing back mid-May as to whether we've gained entrance. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks to all those who came to the Newport showing and making that an extra-special day.
Sincerely,
David Di Sabatino[/indent]That means he's thanking YOU, Darrel!
Wow... is all this for me? 
Great comments... thanks for taking an interest.
Let me say that the eleventh hour reconciliations were not put in there for no other reason than I didn't have enough room to do so earlier on. It wasn't an intentional thing per se, as I had twice before thought that it might be a good idea to bring the movie up out of its rather dour tailspin to ease the pain of it all.
... and then I would think, but this is a tragedy... and I am not sure that I wish to ease up out of the nosedive. And I would go back and forth. And time, like I said, was always a consideration. There are so many aspects of Lonnie's life that I left out... sheesh... I hardly touched the stuff he did in South Africa.
That being said, it is true... I am not enamored of the eleventh hour reconciliations for many reasons. But I am probably going to put something in there about them... moreso for Lonnie and to suggest that he came out of his bitterness against all these folks than anything else.
As for Chuck Girard, we haven't talked about this... but I have heard him say it before. He was there, of course... and I think that Girard's position is that I don't give enough credit to the music being an integral force in drawing those kids, that I lean too much on Lonnie's spark or anointing or charisma. I am open to that criticism... and I think it is a valid one... from his perspective. But there are others that were there that wholeheartedly point to Lonnie as being the prima causa, being an agent of spiritual power through which so many inexplicable things happened. At Lonnie's funeral, Chuck Smith talks openly about Lonnie being the catalyst at Calvary Chapel.
The problem being... as the grand evangelical historian George Marsden once wrote... that delving in to the spiritual theater is much like doing play by play for a football game where half of the players are invisible. How does one gauge what role the Spirit plays in something as messy as a revival where there are no devices to measure spiritual effluvia?
That being said, and Girard knows this well, that there are many that attest to the conclusions that I've drawn, many of them who were integral themselves to the story. Tommy Coomes of Love Song was there and he had nothing but kind and generous words to say about it all. He seemed floored by the whole thing, and I have relied on him to watch it through various incarnations. I am sure if this thing starts to roll you will hear others bring these sorts of antitheses forward to suggest that I am off the mark. And that is okay.
It is like reading through multiple biographies of any great personality or movement... there are variances of opinion. Four gospels, right?
... through a glass darkly indeed...
=)
dd
Great comments... thanks for taking an interest.
Let me say that the eleventh hour reconciliations were not put in there for no other reason than I didn't have enough room to do so earlier on. It wasn't an intentional thing per se, as I had twice before thought that it might be a good idea to bring the movie up out of its rather dour tailspin to ease the pain of it all.
... and then I would think, but this is a tragedy... and I am not sure that I wish to ease up out of the nosedive. And I would go back and forth. And time, like I said, was always a consideration. There are so many aspects of Lonnie's life that I left out... sheesh... I hardly touched the stuff he did in South Africa.
That being said, it is true... I am not enamored of the eleventh hour reconciliations for many reasons. But I am probably going to put something in there about them... moreso for Lonnie and to suggest that he came out of his bitterness against all these folks than anything else.
As for Chuck Girard, we haven't talked about this... but I have heard him say it before. He was there, of course... and I think that Girard's position is that I don't give enough credit to the music being an integral force in drawing those kids, that I lean too much on Lonnie's spark or anointing or charisma. I am open to that criticism... and I think it is a valid one... from his perspective. But there are others that were there that wholeheartedly point to Lonnie as being the prima causa, being an agent of spiritual power through which so many inexplicable things happened. At Lonnie's funeral, Chuck Smith talks openly about Lonnie being the catalyst at Calvary Chapel.
The problem being... as the grand evangelical historian George Marsden once wrote... that delving in to the spiritual theater is much like doing play by play for a football game where half of the players are invisible. How does one gauge what role the Spirit plays in something as messy as a revival where there are no devices to measure spiritual effluvia?
That being said, and Girard knows this well, that there are many that attest to the conclusions that I've drawn, many of them who were integral themselves to the story. Tommy Coomes of Love Song was there and he had nothing but kind and generous words to say about it all. He seemed floored by the whole thing, and I have relied on him to watch it through various incarnations. I am sure if this thing starts to roll you will hear others bring these sorts of antitheses forward to suggest that I am off the mark. And that is okay.
It is like reading through multiple biographies of any great personality or movement... there are variances of opinion. Four gospels, right?
... through a glass darkly indeed...
=)
dd
Hey, DD...
I was there at the center of the Jesus Movement, Southern California, from the very beginning. I would love to see your movie (I now reside in Connecticut), if anything to relive the moments that I have absolutely no memory of... coz... I... at that time... was a baby.
Nick Alexander
Closet Hippie for the Next Generation
I was there at the center of the Jesus Movement, Southern California, from the very beginning. I would love to see your movie (I now reside in Connecticut), if anything to relive the moments that I have absolutely no memory of... coz... I... at that time... was a baby.
Nick Alexander
Closet Hippie for the Next Generation
I echo Nick in wanting this film to creep eastward.
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