Sundance 2015: James Franco Went on Faith for I Am Michael

James Franco and Zachary Quinto ribbed and praised their I Am Michael director, newcomer Justin Kelly, during an interview about the ambitious new film, which just premiered at Sundance. Speaking with Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers, the trio talked about the films roots, the experience making it and the reaction it garnered from the real Michael Glatze, a former gay rights activist turned evangelical Christian pastor.

Franco, who plays Glatze, explained the story first came to his attention when executive producer Gus Van Sant sent him a link to Benoit Denizet-Lewis 2011New York Times Magazine article My Ex-Gay Friend. The article detailed Glatzes rise within the gay rights movement, as well as his spiritual crisis, conversion and ultimate split from his lover and the gay community as a whole a story Van Sant believed could make a great movie.

At first I thought, You think this would make a great movie, Gus? I dont know,' Franco remembered with a laugh. But I just kind of went on faith. We kept going with itGus recommended Justin [to direct], who had been an assistant editor onMilkand saw all my nude scenes from Milk in detail he still has them!

I Am Michael marks Kellys full-length feature debut asa director, and Quinto praised him for establishing a collaborative spirit right from the beginning. It permeated the whole journey that we took together, he said. He didnt have to max out his credit cards, but its not like people were throwing money at him and giving him free rein; we were working under some pretty some serious constraints at the time.

As for the real Michael Glatzes reaction to the film, all three were pleased if not somewhat surprised to say that he thoroughly enjoyed it. He came up to each of us and said, Thank you,' Franco said. I guess we did the whole experience justice.

Check out ourSundance page for complete coverage of the 2015 festival.