Ears on Their Heads, But They Dont Hear

Sowhatdoyouhopepeoplegetoutofthisfilm?

Bremer-Murray:I hope what happens is it makes people get comfortable about faith.

DiSabatino:I think our hope is that people will realize that God is interested in everybody. You're all invited to the table.

Bremer-Murray:Absolutely.

DiSabatino:When the church excludes anyone, it's like [Calvary pastor] Chuck [Smith] Jr. says in the film: We've got a problem. My reading of the story in the last year is God called a kid involved in the homosexual scene and Connie to bless the whole coast of California.

Bremer-Murray:One thing that is amazing: Lonnie never saw himself as being special. He saw that everybody could have what he had, and he actually promoted people.

DiSabatino:I met people, and the love they radiate for Lonnie is quite amazing. Yes, he could be tough to deal with, he could be a good friend but a prickly character. He was real. He would love people to the point where he'd encourage them in faith to step out and do great things for God. I'm not saying [Vineyard co-founder] John Wimber and Chuck Smith are not good people. They just look at things in a whole different paradigm.

Bremer-Murray:I think they personify what's happening to the church, though. That's what makes it a bigger story. There's a huge movement of people dropping out of churches and meeting as small groups in homes.

DiSabatino:There is a real dissatisfaction with organized religion, and I think the movie is hitting on that. One of the ladies in the movie says, "If I'm sick of my own sin, don't heap more scorn on me when I come to you with my problem."

What'sgoingonwiththefilmafterthefestivalinregardstodistribution?

DiSabatino:I'm talking with a bunch of people. In this industry, people talk and talk. I'm trying to find something concrete. I'm trying to reach the widest audience I can. I want it to be seen by as many people as possible. I'm sensing it has some legs, but I don't know how this works. I'm hoping someone in a position of power comes along and does not jerk us around. I'd like to see it in churches, but that's my secondary target. I'd like regular people to see this thing because it's an amazing story. We're on a ride here, and I don't know where it's going, but I'm excited about the prospects.

FRISBEE: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A HIPPIE PREACHER SCREENS AT REGENCY LIDO THEATRE. SAT., APRIL 24, 2:30 P.M. WWW.NEWPORTBEACHFILMFEST.COM.
WWW.LONNIEFRISBEE.COM.