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Pastor Cowan, Oversold originated as a video sermon. How did you come up with the idea?

Dave Cowan: I was drawn to the Hosea story out of a deep sense that the word "redeemed" needed to be redeemed once again into our culture and be used in conversation for more than just talk of redeeming coupons at the local grocery.

The character of Sophi/Angel is the emotional heart of the story. How did you come to cast Crissy Moran?

Paul Morrell: Dave showed me a site that was a ministry to strippers, which posted testimonies of former strippers and their journey to finding God. Crissy had so many similarities to Sophi and I hoped that she would serve as a consultant, but she ended up as our lead actress.

For a project based on Scripture and featuring a strong gospel message, Oversold has had its detractors. Why?

Morrell: People are uncomfortable with the fact that we cast Crissy. When we first started, I was oblivious to the fact that others were not quite so excited. I couldn't find people to work on the film. People I had depended on for years were "unavailable."

That was only the beginning. At one point, I journaled all the negative conversations I had had about the topic, and used them in a scene where Pastor Joshua is being attacked in an elders meeting. I see it as the most powerful scene in the film.

Cowan: The film throws daggers at the heart of porn and porn addiction, but the general consensus [from detractors] was, "This just looks like a promotion of promiscuous sex."

But the film itself is actually quite chaste. Like Crissy's own story, it condemns the sex industry. How do you answer those critics?

Cowan on the set

Cowan: They are saying that they are okay because, unlike Crissy, they never did porn. The Bible says none of us are okay, but instead of rejoicing at her repentance, well-meaning people reject her. That is profound! And it speaks to the condition of the church today.

The scariest thing of all is when people that claim to be Christians see the work of God [brokenness and repentance], and still say they cannot be associated with [the project]. What have we become? In many cases, we put the Pharisees to shame in our blindness and deafness to the work of the Spirit.

I can honestly see why it's much easier and safer in church circles not to tackle various topics in church. If you dare, you will be criticized.

You can't turn on the TV without seeing stripping glorified. What needs to be done to protect girls and young women?

Moran: A strong family would have helped me tremendously. I think parents need to teach their children their worth. The schools are not going to teach them.

Cowan: We need to empower women to follow God's voice in her lives, and not the voice of easy money from pimps or porn producers. The only way that will happen is if our daughters are taught—and taught by example by their moms and dads—to find their identity in Jesus Christ.

Morrell: I think that most women in the sex industry want out—including Hosea's prostitute wife Gomer. As with any sin, we all want to be out of the pain that sin causes, but just because we want out of it doesn't mean we won't go back to it when temptation arises. That to me is the beauty of the Hosea story. No matter what we have done, are doing, or continuing to do, if we turn to God and give it all to Christ, he will take us, forgive us, wash us clean, no questions asked.

What's in the future for Oversold?

Morrell: We are working with Groundworks Management to put together a tour for Oversold. The tour will consist of the band that wrote the soundtrack (Ashes Remain), a screening of the film, and a Q&A session with Dave, Crissy, and myself. They are booking us for colleges and churches in the spring and fall of 2009.

The film is really just a start for Oversold. There is a four-week Bible study on the book of Hosea that goes along with the film, including weekly vignettes from Dave that help guide the discussion, and a study guide with questions and detailed breakdowns of the book of Hosea, which will be available in February.

For more information on the film and to download it (for $4.99), visit the official website.

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