‘Laughing at the Moon’, is currently in theaters in a limited release. The film, which is rated PG, is a redemptive comedic drama. It takes place in city, loft apartment, where three unsuspecting people encounter something very strange, but they find the meaning of life.
This movie is a character-driven dramedy about an eccentric, altruistic woman, Iris, who comes to live with a self-absorbed, compulsive, snobby roommate, Natalie, who is her complete opposite. Iris’s hilarious antics and Christ-like sacrificial love, totally transform everyone she meets.
Iris (Alyssa Addison) makes everyone around her smile brighter in ‘Laughing at the Moon’. Photo Courtesy of CounterAct Pictures.
At first, Natalie and her friends think Iris is weird with her bright mismatched clothes. Iris has her own language and sings to plants while leaving a trail of sunflower seeds. However, it seems that Iris might have the answers the others are looking for. Sonoma Christian Home interviews Erin Bethea, who has played many leading roles in faith-based movies and is featured in ‘Laughing at the Moon’ as Natalie.
SCH: What is the value of a comedy?
EB: Laughing is healthy. It helps us to accept ourselves and not take ourselves too seriously. We need positive laughter that is not raunchy and dirty. God has a sense of humor and we can have sense of humor as He does.
SCH: What are important elements for good comedies?
EB: Timing is important. Comedy needs specific, quirky characters who also have universal relatability. A female comedian who is a role model of these kinds of human elements is Carol Burnett.
Erin Bethea as Natalie and a friend exchange puzzled glances in ‘Laughing at the Moon’. Photo Courtesy of CounterAct Pictures.
SCH: How is ‘Laughing at the Moon’ a unique comedy?
EB: It makes you laugh but opens your heart to think.
SCH: How is ‘Laughing at the Moon’ character-driven?
EB: It has an unexpected mix of quirky, multi-dimensional characters who grow, develop, transform, and change each other to the place that they are almost unrecognizable at the end from what they were at the beginning of the movie. They show that anyone can change.
Natalia (Erin Bethea) is overwhelmed in her struggle in ‘Laughing at the Moon’. Photo Courtesy of CounterAct Pictures.
SCH: What has happened with faith-based movies since your earlier movie, ‘Fireproof’ to today with your movies ‘Laughing at the Moon’ and your ‘New Life’ movie that opens in October?
EB: Hollywood is now making faith-based movies. Independent faith-based movies have improved in quality. Hollywood has seen that people will pay to see a movie with redemptive themes. It has become a little less dangerous for big stars to become known as Christians. Hollywood has gained some positive developments from faith-based movies and faith-based movies have developed in improved quality because of the high bar that Hollywood sets with their redemptive movies.
SCH: What do you think our Lord is doing through Christians in movies?
EB: We as believers tend to be behind the trend, but our Lord is drawing us into what is relevant in order to reach the unchurched. Movies and media have become great evangelistic tools.
Erin Bethea and Alyssa Addision starring in ‘Laughing at the Moon’. Photo Courtesy of CounterAct Pictures.
SCH: What developments in secular movies in general have been alarming?
EB: There are dangerous trends for women and kids.
SCH: What developments in secular movies have been positive?
EB: True stories, such as in the ‘Sully’ movie can present good role models.
SCH: How can the public, churches, and Christian organizations support what is good in movies?
EB: They need to see the movies in theaters, not wait just for home viewing. They need to help redemptive movies make needed funds. They need to vote with their wallet.
SCH: Who is a current Christian, female actor who is as role model for you?
EB: Patricia Heaton is role model for me. She is strong but gracious.
‘Laughing at the Moon’ is a movie about loving people like Jesus would love them (sacrificially, with forgiveness, and in serving them) out of a relationship with the Lord. This film is dedicated to the “Lost Sheep Ministry” and has some subplots that are about helping homeless people and helping children.
The cinematographer for this movie is Bob Scott who filmed ‘Fireproof’, ‘Courageous’, ‘War Room’ and many others. Many of the same crew for these movies worked on ‘Laughing at the Moon’. Steve Hullfish, editor of ‘War Room’, made the ‘Trailer’, ‘Heart of Video’, and ‘Ticket Sale Video’ for ‘Laughing at the Moon’. ‘Laughing at the Moon’ is one of the first faith-based films to be written, directed and produced by a woman, Alyssa Addison.
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