We are very excited to announce that the W+K produced documentary, Raw Faith, has been picked up for distribution and will be opening at a theater in New York on June 24th.

The documentary, featuring the life of an uplifting Unitarian minister, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, is a whirlwind of emotions that displays change, compassion, finding ones self, and finally allowing love in. The film’s viewing will be held in New York from June 24^th-30^th at the Quad Cinema in the Village. You can purchase tickets here.

The film was shot and directed by our own Peter Wiedensmith who started working at Wieden+Kennedy in Portland 17 years ago. For the past 15 years, he has been working in Joint and, with the help of his team including David Jahns, Jessica Baclesse, Tommy Harden, Matt Hilber, Steve Sprinkel, Alyssa Coates, Kyle Valenta, Terra Cloyes, Mary Zuleger, Chris Larson, Chris Hanson, and Charlie Keating, produced Raw Faith.

Peter describes the film as “[...] a religious figure in personal crisis. She was loved by her congregation and her entire identity was wrapped up in this career, but she wanted a change. I thought a lot of us could relate to that.” We caught up with Peter and asked him some questions about the film. Check out our exclusive interview below and be sure to attend the event if you’re in the New York area.

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W+K: In what way do you think Raw Faith can change the perception of love?

PW: After we had begun shooting, Marilyn met George, a nice local architect who had lost his wife.  They fell in love right away but the relationship brought out all these issues Marilyn had around love because of her very, very difficult childhood.  As their relationship progressed, she faced the same questions we all do:  this person is pushing very deep buttons in me and my subconscious is reacting, do I just react, do I chuck it for my safe corner, or do I deal with my shit?  What I learned about love during this process is the importance of bravery in a relationship.  I learned that it’s ok to be aware of my buttons.  Viewers have found many different emotional lessons in the film— it’s very uplifting.

W+K: What was the most difficult aspect/element of the film to capture?

PW: This is an internal journey.  That’s always a challenge to capture visually!  I tried to make it work by being intimate- usually it was just her and I, without a crew. And I tried to make it nice to look at.  The edit was the most challenging-  Katie and I worked to weave the story line with her history and all these philosophical/emotional nuggets she was constantly spouting.

W+K: In your opinion, what role do you think faith plays when it comes to love?

PW: I’m an agnostic.  Is that relevant?  I love my wife and we have been married for 21 years.  There is an incredible amount of faith we have in each other- it’s not religious faith, of course… but I’m not sure there is a difference.  Believing in someone no matter  what feels deeply human to me.  After making this film I feel that more than ever— believing in ideas and other people is what humans do, and I think it brings out the best in us.  It can also bring out the worst in us.   I have lost my judgment toward people of faith now.  How are you using your faith is the question I am more interested in, because we all have it, left right and center.