FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Shannon Mischuk
shannon@grafmartin.com
519-342-3703 ext. 107
1970s JESUS MOVEMENT FILM ‘JESUS REVOLUTION’ – RELEASES FEBRUARY 2023 CANADAWIDE
True Story of a Young Pastor’s Journey Through America’s Most Significant Period of Spiritual Revival; starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie
WATERLOO, Ont. – February 2, 2023 – From the creators of I CAN ONLY IMAGINE comes JESUS REVOLUTION – the true story of a young pastor’s journey through one of America’s most significant periods of spiritual revival, known as the “Jesus movement.” JESUS REVOLUTION debuts in theatres nationwide on February 24, 2023.
Distributed in Canada by Cineplex Pictures and produced by Kingdom Story Company in an exclusive partnership with Lionsgate, JESUS REVOLUTION is based on Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn’s book of the same name, which narrates the national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California. The film follows a young Laurie (Joel Courtney – “The Kissing Booth”) and his coming-of-age testimony, a hippie street preacher, Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie – “The Chosen”), and a pastor who opened his church doors, Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer – “Fraiser”). JESUS REVOLUTION shows that there’s room for everyone when you open your heart.
“Lonnie Frisbee was a very complex human being,” says Roumie. “He was a brilliant, gifted, spiritually-powerful man, but he had a lot of wounds. His humanity leaked out of him every step of the way. Lonnie did drugs when he was younger and got other people to do drugs, because he thought drugs were the answer. And that was the thrust of an entire generation until they realized it was a lie and needed something bigger. And Lonnie discovered Jesus.”
In addition to Grammer, Roumie and Courtney, JESUS REVOLUTION features Anna Grace Barlow (“Supernatural”) and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“Father of the Bride”).
JESUS REVOLUTION is written for the screen by Jon Erwin (I CAN ONLY IMAGINE) and Jon Gunn (I STILL BELIEVE), and directed by Jon Erwin (I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, AMERICAN UNDERDOG) and Brent McCorkle (UNCONDITIONAL). JESUS REVOLUTION is produced by Kevin Downes, Jon and Andrew Erwin, along with Josh Walsh and Daryl Lefever.
“I think after COVID in the world we live in, the story is even that much more relevant,” says Jon Erwin, director and writer. “The fact that we’re doing it 50 years later is just so cool. I think God’s timing is perfect. When you watch JESUS REVOLUTION, you’re watching a period film that feels like today. All of the themes, feelings, and things that the characters are wrestling with are incredibly relevant to the world we’re living in.”
See the trailer for JESUS REVOLUTION here.
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include PLANE, THE GOOD HOUSE, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, HOTEL ARTEMIS, and DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPER HERO.
For interviews with the filmmakers and press materials, contact Shannon Mischuk at shannon@grafmartin.com or (519) 342-3703 ext. 107.
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About Cineplex:
Cineplex (TSX:CGX) is a top-tier Canadian brand that operates in the Film Entertainment and Content, Amusement and Leisure, and Media sectors. Cineplex offers a unique escape from the everyday to millions of guests through its circuit of over 170 movie theatres and location-based entertainment venues. In addition to being Canada’s largest and most innovative film exhibitor, the company operates Canada’s favourite destination for ‘Eats & Entertainment’ (The Rec Room), complexes specially designed for teens and families (Playdium), and a newly launched entertainment concept that brings movies, amusement gaming, dining, and live performances together under one roof (Cineplex Junxion). It also operates successful businesses in digital commerce (CineplexStore.com), alternative programming (Cineplex Events), motion picture distribution (Cineplex Pictures), cinema media (Cineplex Media), digital place-based media (Cineplex Digital Media) and amusement solutions (Player One Amusement Group). Providing even more value for its guests, Cineplex is a partner in Scene+, Canada’s largest entertainment and lifestyle loyalty program. Proudly recognized as having one of the country’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Cineplex employs over 10,000 people in its offices and venues across Canada and the United States. To learn more, visit Cineplex.com.
About Lionsgate:
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
About Kingdom Story Company:
Kingdom Story Company, in an exclusive partnership with Lionsgate, creates life-changing content from a variety of talented storytellers. Helmed by Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin, Kevin Downes, and Tony Young, the Kingdom Story Company brand is synonymous with hope, bringing true and inspiring content to the big screen. As pioneers of inspiring storytelling, their features include I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, AMERICAN UNDERDOG, I STILL BELIEVE, and THE JESUS MUSIC.