Writer/Director, Dan Merchant, is putting on his bumper-sticker-clad jumpsuit once again while asking America to stop yelling at each other, and start conversing with one another. With tactful use of humor, his mission to get beyond the superficial bickering certainly got people thinking, and film was awarded “Best Spiritual Documentary of 2008” by Beliefnet.com. Praised by USA Today as, “A humorous and heartfelt examinations of the culture wars”, the critically acclaimed LORD, SAVE US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS will be available on DVD in retail outlets May 4, 2010. (New Day Distribution, $19.99)
Public expressions of faith often stir up more controversy than inspiration, and following most recent examples of the tragedy in Haiti, the critically acclaimed documentary, LORD, SAVE US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS explores public perception. With lighthearted investigation and a desire to start a conversation, Merchant sets off across the country, asking the question “Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?”
The documentary features exclusive interviews with Senator Al Franken, former Senator and religious right ally Rick Santorum, NY Times best-selling author, William Paul Young (The Shack), noted liberal evangelical Tony Campolo, conservative radio host Michael Reagan and racial reconciliation activist Dr. John Perkins, as well as news clips of Bono, Bill Maher, Bill O’Reilly, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, George Clooney, Pastor Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life), and evangelists James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Balanced with humor and insight, the film leaves no stone unturned in presenting a refreshingly amicable examination of religious warfare and the numerous hot-button issues that come along with it.
Variety said of the film, “Admirably bold…It would take a hard heart indeed not to be moved.” Chicago Sun Times proclaimed, “Lord, Save Us aims to raise the level of religious discourse…a convincing argument for civil debate”, while The Oregonian described the film as “A peace offering, not a battle cry.” “A brilliant documentary,” exclaimed the San Antonio Express News, and the Dove Foundation said, “Five out of Five. We gladly encourage viewers to make use of this important film. It could be life changing.”
As discussion of religion floods the media, the rhetoric is divisive, hyper, and most often, angry. Dan brings the sensibilities of someone who is deeply concerned with how his faith is being represented by others. After talking with scores of men and women on streets all across the nation, as well as interviewing many well-known active participants in today’s “Culture Wars,” he realized that the public discussion of faith doesn’t have to be contentious.
With humor more common in a comedy-sketch program than a documentary, LORD, SAVE US provides a provocative, funny, and redemptive discussion that is sure to continue long after the credits run.
For more information on the film, please visit www.lordsaveusthemovie.com.
LORD, SAVE US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS is distributed through New Day Distribution. www.newdaychristian.com, and will be available in stores nationwide May 4, 2010.
About the Author/Director, DAN MERCHANT:
Merchant is an award-winning writer/director who began his career selling sketch comedy to the Seattle late night institution Almost Live!, before settling in at CBS affiliate KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon where he won an IRIS award for We’re Makin’ Movies, and three Northwest Region Emmys for writing/producing The Dr. Wilderness Show and the original Bill Nye the Science Guy pilot. He became the Executive Producer/Writer of VH1’s critically acclaimed “rock and roll Twilight Zone” anthology series, Strange Frequency. Thomas Nelson publishers released the companion book to Lord, Save Us From Your Followers in March 2008. Outreach magazine nominated the book for a 2008 Resource of the Year Award in the Culture category. A follow-up book entitled Loving Kindness Actually Works is also underway.
About the Author
