Little Hope Was Arson (2013)

In the buckle of the Bible Belt, 10 churches burn to the ground in just over a month igniting the largest criminal investigation in East Texas history.

Director:

Theo Love

Stars:

David Mahfood, Peggy Mahfood, Bill Parr

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
David Mahfood
Peggy Mahfood
Bill Parr	...	(as Pastor Bill Parr)
Lee Richards
Barney Woods
Clinton Young	...	(as Reverend Clinton Young)

Storyline

January 2010: In the buckle of the Bible Belt, 10 churches burn to the ground in just over a month igniting the largest criminal investigation in East Texas history. No stone is left unturned and even Satan himself is considered a suspect in this gripping investigation of a community terrorized from the inside-out. Families are torn apart and communities of faith struggle with forgiveness and justice in this incredible true story.

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Not Rated

User Reviews

Top Notch

Theo Love's documentary, Little Hope Was Arson, finds communities in East Texas reacting to the burning of 10 churches. The film follows the logic of law enforcement and community members discovering their churches having been torched, one by one, and the trajectory of the investigation. A central figure of the documentary is Christy McAllister, who received a lead that her brother, Daniel McAllister, was a suspect. From there, Love gradually introduces family members and church mentors of two troubled young men, Jason Bourque and Daniel, as the film gradually delves into the young men's respective pasts. Once law enforcement sleuths their way to find enough probable cause for them to obtain warrants for the young men. This is where the thematic crux of the film becomes evident as the two men are taken into custody: In light of the East Texas Bible Belt's "buckle's" extreme Christianity, what is fair sentencing for these two men who committed these crimes in the depths of depression, but who physically harmed no one? The production value of Little Hope Was Arson is top notch, and it succeeds as an exposé in that there is no dogmatic side that the film takes, and leaves enough room for the viewer to exact her or his opinion of the matters at hand. (Not to its discredit, this film has nothing to do with black metal.)

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 May 2015 (Belgium)

Filming Locations:

Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Orchard, theCollaborate

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Color:

Color