''We don't empty Genesis House of all the characters at the end; Mark leaves, but everyone else stays. It wasn't our intention to bash ex-gay ministries. We've seen that done before, but we wanted to achieve something different. We made this film for anybody who wants to have the conversation about God and gay.... A lot of people in New York and LA thought the ex-gay thing was a joke. They laughed at us when we said we wanted to make a film about ex-gay ministries and have a conversation about God and gay. That was a shock for us, because you don't have to go far in the gay community to find people who have been touched by the phenomenon of ex-gay ministries.''
Actor Chad Allen speaking about his role as Mark, a sex-addicted, substance abuser who attends an ex-gay ministry called Genesis House in the new film, "Save Me." Allen says the film was originally a comedy but he and actor Robert Gant wanted to have it made as a serious, sympathetic examination of the motivations of people who are involved in the gay conversion movement. Actress Judith Light also stars in the film. (Christianity Today) You can also read Metro Weekly's archived interviews with Chad Allen, and Robert Gant.
''The filmmakers made this brave and edgy film; they didn't expect anyone from the Christian community to show up, let alone be at the premiere," Detweiler told ABCNews.com. "I think it was important for both Chad [Allen] and the students -- for Chad to feel welcomed and received with warmth and appreciation by seminarians, for the students to be challenged by such a faith-affirming film. Chad's character in the film finds God and finds love. I think the film is doubly challenging," he added. "It tramples on the sacred-secular-political divide, and brings both sides of the culture war into the same film and tweaks both of their stereotypes. That's a rare and brave thing to do in these highly politicized times.''
Craig Detweiler, a professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, who brought several students to the screening of the film, ''Save Me,'' starring out gay actor, Chad Allen. (ABC News)
