Documentary Short · A Smuggler's Odyssey

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A Fresh Media Film Directed by Michael Weissman 2025 · 23 min
The Story

A candlelit underground gathering — a man reads scripture to a small group.
From the film A house church, 1980s China.
The moment a smuggled book becomes a gathering.
Official trailer

Thirty seconds of the journey.

Open on Vimeo
Recognition

Nineteen awards across four continents.

A 23-minute film, recognized by festivals from Berlin to Bali — for documentary craft, original score, and voice.

TierCategoryFestivalYear
What audiences are saying

A beautiful glimpse of God's
faithfulness.

Director's statement

Director Michael Weissman.
Michael Weissman
Director, Producer & Composer
Behind the film

A $1,000 film, told honestly.

Quit Laughing God was made with AI — not to cut corners, but to tell a story that otherwise would not have been told. How it was made, in the director's own words.

Press kit

Film stills & photography.

Every image below appears in the film — a mix of archival photography from Chris's missions to China, Ecuador, and Rwanda, and AI-enhanced narrative stills. Click any image for the high-res version. For additional assets, get in touch.

Chris Salas headshot Portrait · Chris Salas Michael Weissman — Director Portrait · Michael Weissman, Director Quit Laughing God, This Is Serious! — film poster Key art · Poster Candlelit house church, 1980s China Film still · House church Young woman in a Chinese market Film still · Under surveillance A man holds a suitcase at a handoff Film still · The suitcase Officer adjusting glasses Film still · Inspection Chris surrounded by children in China Film still · Connecting with locals · China A woman reacts with wide-eyed surprise Film still · Reaction Officer pointing toward the camera Film still · Risk of expulsion Chris with children in a garden, Ecuador Film still · Ecuador Women dancing in traditional dress, Ecuador Film still · Ecuador · Festival Congregation singing, Rwanda Film still · Rwanda · Worship
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Opens in your email app · mw@freshperspectives.net