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Date: March 8, 2004 Updated June 24, 2004

Source: IESB

Posted by: Robert Sanchez

Here is a little IESB exclusive for all you indie film lovers, we have the privilege of releasing the theatrical trailer for the upcoming film Aimee Semple McPherson. Here is an early review of this movie:

Summary: Vaudevillian Decadence interwoven with subtle tones of Sensual Spirituality, A Triumph!

Aimee Semple McPherson
2 hours and 15 minutes
DVFeature
Film Director: Richard Rossi

Trailer: Click Here (4mb quicktime)

I had the opportunity to attend a preliminary screening of the film in Pasadena California. Before attending the film, which consisted of Hollywood producers, the director Richard Rossi, and his editor, I decided to do my homework and find out just who this woman was.

Immediately the name, Aimee Semple McPherson had a certain power to it, like she 'should' be known to all, a name that commands and demands attention. The internet was able to provide me not only with her history as an evangelist in Los Angeles, but the scandal that would follow her up to her untimely death at the age of 54 in 1944. Historically Aimee Semple McPherson is the founder of the FourSquare Gospel denomination, a denomination which still thrives today, headquartered in Hollywood, California.

The film began with a rather tongue in cheek throwback opening credit sequence to the silent films of Aimee's era. It seemed as if the director really wanted to put the audience into the sights and sounds of the roaring twenties. The opening montage was very effective in doing just that.

If I could use one word to sum up my experience watching the film Aimee Semple McPherson it would be 'Interior.' ASM was shot digitally on a small budget and many times with smaller independent films this tactic usually hurts the film, in this case it enhanced the story or more importantly the character whose name is the title of the film. Aimee Semple McPherson, as director Richard Rossi portrayed her is
a woman of magnificent triumphs and magnificent defeats. This film isn't about crowds and buildings and model Ts, it's about quiet emotion, loneliness, and the idea that a higher power can call us to greatness no matter what our faults. This idea is a direct contradiction to the Christian church today which seems to enjoy looking good as opposed to being good.

The film begins at her famed and much publicized disappearance off the coast of Ocean Park beach in May, 1926. This disappearance was and is rumored to have been a hoax perpetrated by Aimee herself and an accused lover, Kenneth Ormiston played wonderfully by the dashing and sexy Michael Minor. The scandal of her disappearance would find Aimee in court when, soon after she disappeared two divers died looking for her body.

Straight from her disappearance we are taken back to Aimee's humble beginnings [via a mysterious reporter] in a small town in Stratford Ontario Canada. Aimee is
17 years old living with her parents. Aimee's father James Kennedy, is played graciously and perfectly by Rance Howard, [father of Hollywood heavy-weight Ron
Howard]. Howard plays Aimee's understanding and nurturing father with Americana blue-collared perfection, his every line delivered with the conviction of belief as opposed to performance.

Aimee is portrayed by newcomer Mimi Michaels with grace and conviction. All of 20 years old, Michaels breathes life into a role most Hollywood actresses would not know what to do with. The part of ASM of was offered to Rene Russo who turned the part down. A pity for Ms. Russo, the role was perhaps the best female lead to circulate Hollywood in decades.

Kiera Chaplin [granddaughter of legendary Charlie Chaplin] makes an interesting appearance as a prostitute that goes for Aimee's third husband later on in the film. Chaplin seems to make a good effort at performance but yet again she doesn't understand the qualities of being a presence, and she never really was one. It almost seemed as if her performance was edited for impact.

ASM is also a film about imperfection and how imperfect people are used to affect positive change in the lives of so many others. Unlike bland TBN fair [did anyone actually see The Omega Code?] ASM is a portrait of a life as seen through the eyes of an artist as opposed to the eyes of Christian. Aimee's life isn't pretty, and many times she comes across as near manic-depressive or bi-polar, that is how real the calling of evangelism is in her life. In fact I think a plausible argument can be made debating whether Aimee was indeed clinically nuts. The fire of evangelism is started by her first husband Robert Semple, adequately performed by unknown actor Chad
Nadolski whom Aimee loses through tragic circumstances. The fire grows and builds until Aimee has a following and church of her own in Los Angeles [Angelus Temple].

Probably what captured me the most is how director Rossi fully realized how spirituality and sexuality can so easily become entangled. It's no wonder why so
many men and women of faith end up falling for their secretaries or congregational members. This is an idea not welcomed by many people who call themselves Christians but it's truth and that truth is offered not graphically but subtlety.

This is an important film. Rare is it when humanity is showcased so beautifully and stylistically and at the same time with a heart. There's a particular scene in the film when Aimee uses the pulpit as a means to raise money, she is vamped out, giving the performance of her life, while looking at us, the audience, the stand in for the non-existent congregation of Angelus Temple.

First time director Rossi weaves vaudevillian decadence with sensual spirituality but still maintains the heart of a healer who ultimately couldn't heal herself. This is a film for everyone to see and love. Aimee Semple McPherson has the theatrics of Moulin Rouge but the heart of the much underrated The Apostle, this film is not to be missed, there's something there for everyone.

Evan Charles Gross
Freelance Entertainment Writer
Pasadena California

This bit of news just sent in (3/19/04) :

The International Church of the Foursqaure Gospel are readying their lawyers in preparation for a suit against the makers of Aimee Semple McPherson. Apparently, the artistic license taken is of The Passion of the Christ proportions.

Posted 3/08/04

Images, footage and details from Rance Howard's (Ronny's daddy) project entitled Aimee Semple McPherson have been sent in by Gelfling.

Click Here for Exclusive Images

Click Here for the Teaser Trailer

I have a little bit of news here, hopefully newsworthy. Yes, it involves independent cinema. This project doesn't have a colossal budget or a summer release date set for 3000 screens. Hopefully though, this will be read by the right person. Rance Howard, father of Ron Howard has been hard at work. Over the past year Rance has devoted himself to a small, digital independent period film entitled Aimee Semple McPherson. Rance Howard has worked tirelessly alongside first time director Richard Rossi [Ally Mcbeal] honing the script, and fine tuning the cast. If you are unaware, Aimee Semple McPherson was, in her time, well, a woman before her time. in the 1920s she was the first woman to begin a movement of pentecostal revivals across America, finally putting her tent stakes down in Los Angeles. Aimee Semple McPherson was made famous after striking ground for Angelus Temple, the enormous flagship church located near Echo park in Hollywood, CA. Aimee was skyrocketed to world attention in 1926 when, 'supposedly' she was kidnapped for 39 days and held for a ransom of 500,000 dollars, a hefty sum for the roaring twenties. Months later Aimee would be tried on charges of adultery and perjury. It was suspected that she was with a lover in Carmel CA. Aimee Semple McPherson lived a life one could only live in Hollywood. Her story has finally been brought to life in its entirety and is set to hit the festival screen at the Los Angeles International Film Festival [IFP West] in June. Ron Howard is acting as an advisor on the film, but because it's his father's project, is very 'hands-off.' An added bonus to the cast is Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter to Charlie Chaplin, making her US premiere in the film as Myrtle Hazel, Saint-Pierre, a prostitute who has an affection for Aimee Semple McPherson's third husband, David Hutton [played by Richard Rossi]. Already the fire is brewing, Christians everywhere are protesting the film's depiction of Aimee. Some are citing the director for selling Aimee's dirty laundry for a quick nickel. There is a national boycott in the works at the moment to block the film from release and/or distribution. The film is a visual stunning achievement, a cross between Moulin Rouge and Amelie as far as style goes. This film will re-invent the digital media and its uses.


Search the IESB	The IESB is always on the go! For the Latest in Entertainment News and Scoops Bookmark THE IESB.NET... Date: March 8, 2004 Updated June 24, 2004 Source: IESB Posted by: Robert Sanchez Here is a little IESB exclusive for all you indie film lovers, we have the privilege of releasing the theatrical trailer for the upcoming film Aimee Semple McPherson. Here is an early review of this movie: Summary: Vaudevillian Decadence interwoven with subtle tones of Sensual Spirituality, A Triumph! Aimee Semple McPherson 2 hours and 15 minutes DVFeature Film Director: Richard Rossi Trailer: Click Here (4mb quicktime) I had the opportunity to attend a preliminary screening of the film in Pasadena California. Before attending the film, which consisted of Hollywood producers, the director Richard Rossi, and his editor, I decided to do my homework and find out just who this woman was. Immediately the name, Aimee Semple McPherson had a certain power to it, like she 'should' be known to all, a name that commands and demands attention. The internet was able to provide me not only with her history as an evangelist in Los Angeles, but the scandal that would follow her up to her untimely death at the age of 54 in 1944. Historically Aimee Semple McPherson is the founder of the FourSquare Gospel denomination, a denomination which still thrives today, headquartered in Hollywood, California. The film began with a rather tongue in cheek throwback opening credit sequence to the silent films of Aimee's era. It seemed as if the director really wanted to put the audience into the sights and sounds of the roaring twenties. The opening montage was very effective in doing just that. If I could use one word to sum up my experience watching the film Aimee Semple McPherson it would be 'Interior.' ASM was shot digitally on a small budget and many times with smaller independent films this tactic usually hurts the film, in this case it enhanced the story or more importantly the character whose name is the title of the film. Aimee Semple McPherson, as director Richard Rossi portrayed her is a woman of magnificent triumphs and magnificent defeats. This film isn't about crowds and buildings and model Ts, it's about quiet emotion, loneliness, and the idea that a higher power can call us to greatness no matter what our faults. This idea is a direct contradiction to the Christian church today which seems to enjoy looking good as opposed to being good. The film begins at her famed and much publicized disappearance off the coast of Ocean Park beach in May, 1926. This disappearance was and is rumored to have been a hoax perpetrated by Aimee herself and an accused lover, Kenneth Ormiston played wonderfully by the dashing and sexy Michael Minor. The scandal of her disappearance would find Aimee in court when, soon after she disappeared two divers died looking for her body. Straight from her disappearance we are taken back to Aimee's humble beginnings [via a mysterious reporter] in a small town in Stratford Ontario Canada. Aimee is 17 years old living with her parents. Aimee's father James Kennedy, is played graciously and perfectly by Rance Howard, [father of Hollywood heavy-weight Ron Howard]. Howard plays Aimee's understanding and nurturing father with Americana blue-collared perfection, his every line delivered with the conviction of belief as opposed to performance. Aimee is portrayed by newcomer Mimi Michaels with grace and conviction. All of 20 years old, Michaels breathes life into a role most Hollywood actresses would not know what to do with. The part of ASM of was offered to Rene Russo who turned the part down. A pity for Ms. Russo, the role was perhaps the best female lead to circulate Hollywood in decades. Kiera Chaplin [granddaughter of legendary Charlie Chaplin] makes an interesting appearance as a prostitute that goes for Aimee's third husband later on in the film. Chaplin seems to make a good effort at performance but yet again she doesn't understand the qualities of being a presence, and she never really was one. It almost seemed as if her performance was edited for impact. ASM is also a film about imperfection and how imperfect people are used to affect positive change in the lives of so many others. Unlike bland TBN fair [did anyone actually see The Omega Code?] ASM is a portrait of a life as seen through the eyes of an artist as opposed to the eyes of Christian. Aimee's life isn't pretty, and many times she comes across as near manic-depressive or bi-polar, that is how real the calling of evangelism is in her life. In fact I think a plausible argument can be made debating whether Aimee was indeed clinically nuts. The fire of evangelism is started by her first husband Robert Semple, adequately performed by unknown actor Chad Nadolski whom Aimee loses through tragic circumstances. The fire grows and builds until Aimee has a following and church of her own in Los Angeles [Angelus Temple]. Probably what captured me the most is how director Rossi fully realized how spirituality and sexuality can so easily become entangled. It's no wonder why so many men and women of faith end up falling for their secretaries or congregational members. This is an idea not welcomed by many people who call themselves Christians but it's truth and that truth is offered not graphically but subtlety. This is an important film. Rare is it when humanity is showcased so beautifully and stylistically and at the same time with a heart. There's a particular scene in the film when Aimee uses the pulpit as a means to raise money, she is vamped out, giving the performance of her life, while looking at us, the audience, the stand in for the non-existent congregation of Angelus Temple. First time director Rossi weaves vaudevillian decadence with sensual spirituality but still maintains the heart of a healer who ultimately couldn't heal herself. This is a film for everyone to see and love. Aimee Semple McPherson has the theatrics of Moulin Rouge but the heart of the much underrated The Apostle, this film is not to be missed, there's something there for everyone. Evan Charles Gross Freelance Entertainment Writer Pasadena California This bit of news just sent in (3/19/04) : The International Church of the Foursqaure Gospel are readying their lawyers in preparation for a suit against the makers of Aimee Semple McPherson. Apparently, the artistic license taken is of The Passion of the Christ proportions. *Posted 3/08/04* Images, footage and details from Rance Howard's (Ronny's daddy) project entitled Aimee Semple McPherson have been sent in by Gelfling. Click Here for Exclusive Images Click Here for the Teaser Trailer I have a little bit of news here, hopefully newsworthy. Yes, it involves independent cinema. This project doesn't have a colossal budget or a summer release date set for 3000 screens. Hopefully though, this will be read by the right person. Rance Howard, father of Ron Howard has been hard at work. Over the past year Rance has devoted himself to a small, digital independent period film entitled Aimee Semple McPherson. Rance Howard has worked tirelessly alongside first time director Richard Rossi [Ally Mcbeal] honing the script, and fine tuning the cast. If you are unaware, Aimee Semple McPherson was, in her time, well, a woman before her time. in the 1920s she was the first woman to begin a movement of pentecostal revivals across America, finally putting her tent stakes down in Los Angeles. Aimee Semple McPherson was made famous after striking ground for Angelus Temple, the enormous flagship church located near Echo park in Hollywood, CA. Aimee was skyrocketed to world attention in 1926 when, 'supposedly' she was kidnapped for 39 days and held for a ransom of 500,000 dollars, a hefty sum for the roaring twenties. Months later Aimee would be tried on charges of adultery and perjury. It was suspected that she was with a lover in Carmel CA. Aimee Semple McPherson lived a life one could only live in Hollywood. Her story has finally been brought to life in its entirety and is set to hit the festival screen at the Los Angeles International Film Festival [IFP West] in June. Ron Howard is acting as an advisor on the film, but because it's his father's project, is very 'hands-off.' An added bonus to the cast is Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter to Charlie Chaplin, making her US premiere in the film as Myrtle Hazel, Saint-Pierre, a prostitute who has an affection for Aimee Semple McPherson's third husband, David Hutton [played by Richard Rossi]. Already the fire is brewing, Christians everywhere are protesting the film's depiction of Aimee. Some are citing the director for selling Aimee's dirty laundry for a quick nickel. There is a national boycott in the works at the moment to block the film from release and/or distribution. The film is a visual stunning achievement, a cross between Moulin Rouge and Amelie as far as style goes. This film will re-invent the digital media and its uses.
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