SET FREE POSSE: Jesus Freaks, Biker Gang, or Christian Cult?
While thousands point to Set Free Church as the starting point of their salvation, others readily call it a “cult” that ultimately gave birth to a “biker gang” known as the Set Free Soldiers. Founded in 1982 in Anaheim, California, the church quickly grew because of its unorthodox outreach style including rap, hip hop, low-riders, and a motorcycle club. Follow the rise and fall of the ministry through never-before-seen archive footage and 50+ current-day interviews with its ever-controversial founder and many at the center of this worldwide movement. MORE INFO: www.setfreefilm.com
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David TrotterDirectorIN PLAIN SIGHT: Stories of Hope and Freedom, MOTHER INDIA: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan
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David TrotterProducerIN PLAIN SIGHT: Stories of Hope and Freedom, MOTHER INDIA: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan
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Pastor Phil AguilarKey Cast
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Pastor Tim StoreyKey Cast
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Pastor John LyleKey Cast
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Pastor Eddie BanalesKey Cast
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Pastor Glenn MorrisonKey Cast
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Pastor Willie DalgityKey Cast
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FieldyKey Cast
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Phillip "Chill" AguilarKey Cast
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Matthew "MJ" AguilarKey Cast
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Sandra AguilarKey Cast
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Trina Aguilar TimanusKey Cast
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Cory HillCinematographers
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Brandon SetterCinematographers
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Alexander PavoneCinematographers
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Gene KimSound Design
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Brodie AlexanderColorist
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:1 hour 58 minutes 30 seconds
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Completion Date:July 5, 2017
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Production Budget:25,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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VIP Pre-Release ScreeningAnaheim, CA
United States
July 11, 2017
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International Christian Film Festival 2018Orlando, Florida
United States
Official Selection
Distribution Information
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DAVID TROTTER is the producer and director of three award-winning documentaries including Set Free Posse: Jesus Freaks, Biker Gang, or Christian Cult?, In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom, and Mother India: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan, and he is also the author of numerous books. David lives with his wife of 24 years, Laura, and their two teenagers in Newport Beach, California. For more information, visit www.davidtrotter.tv.
During my freshman year at Southern California College (now Vanguard University), friends invited me along to a church service I’ve never forgotten. It would have been late 1991 or early 1992 when we drove to downtown Anaheim, fought for a parking place amidst rumbling motorcycles, and walked into a rugged warehouse at 320 North Anaheim Blvd.
I remember people swarming the streets surrounding this anything-but-traditional church building, and the only seats left were in wooden bleachers along the back. We squeezed in next to some rough-looking churchgoers, and thumping music consumed the crowd as everyone rose to their feet. Rock-n-roll, rap, hip-hop, country, and everything in between flowed throughout the service, and a sunglass-wearing pastor eventually stepped up to the mic to deliver a no-nonsense message.
I was experiencing Set Free Church.
Fast forward to March 2016 when Pastor Phil and I sat down for breakfast, and I had one thing on my mind. Having produced two documentaries on social justice issues, I was hungry for another project that had a little different flavor - perhaps a little Tapatío. As we finished our food, I pitched Phil on the idea of producing a documentary on the history of Set Free and his ministry. To my surprise, he had been thinking something similar, but thought I was too busy to take on the project. We met a couple of more times to discuss the project and agreed to begin this year-long journey.