Almost Holy is a captivating documentary film released in 2015 directed by Steve Hoover. The movie follows the story of Gennadiy Mokhnenko, an activist and pastor who dedicates his life to helping homeless and drug-addicted children on the streets of Mariupol, Ukraine. Combining the raw footage of Mokhnenko's everyday activities with interviews, the film presents a window into the world of these lost children and his efforts to save them.
Mokhnenko's journey begins when he discovers four homeless children playing on the street near his church. Shocked by their condition, Mokhnenko decides to rescue them by force from their abusive parents and take them to his Pilgrim Republic rehabilitation center. This event marks the beginning of his crusade to help more and more children and teenagers whose lives have been ruined by drug addiction and poverty.
Throughout the movie, we see Mokhnenko doing his daily rounds to rescue street children and bring them to the Pilgrim Republic center. He presides over debates with indifferent politicians, patrols the streets in search of new children to help, confronts drug dealers and gangs, and provides food and shelter for the young people under his care.
Moreover, the film presents an unflinching look at the brutal reality of the kids' lives before they arrived at the Pilgrim Republic center. It shows us their squalid homes, their problems with drug addiction, and their struggles to survive. We are also introduced to some of the most hardened kids who already lost hope and have accepted their fate as addicts and criminals.
In addition, Almost Holy captures the complexity of the social problems that Mokhnenko is trying to solve. The movie gives us a glimpse of the post-Soviet Ukraine, where corruption, poverty, and violence are prevalent. It reveals how the country's economic woes and political instability have contributed to the rise of child trafficking, drug addiction, and homelessness.
In contrast to the bleakness of the children's lives, Mokhnenko's charisma and passion offer a glimmer of hope. We see how he gives the kids a sense of purpose by teaching them self-sufficiency, responsibility, and cooperation. Throughout the film, Mokhnenko talks to the children about God and the importance of forgiveness and redemption.
Almost Holy is not a feel-good story, nor is it a flattering portrayal of Mokhnenko. Instead, it presents Mokhnenko as a complex figure who inspires both admiration and skepticism. At times, he seems like a messianic figure, driven by his faith to do good in the world. But other times, his methods are decidedly authoritarian and controversial. We see how his tough love approach sometimes results in violent confrontations with the children, their parents, and the police.
The movie raises many ethical questions, such as whether Mokhnenko's actions are exemplary or misguided. It also questions the idea of whether it is ethical to remove children from their families' custody for their well-being or take violent action without proper authorization from the authorities.
Overall, Almost Holy is an engrossing and thought-provoking movie that offers a unique perspective on social issues through the eyes of a passionate and powerful individual. It takes us on a journey from the darkness of poverty, addiction, and violence to the light of hope and inspiration.
In conclusion, Almost Holy is a must-watch for anyone interested in social issues, human rights, and activism. The film presents a gripping, unfiltered portrayal of the harsh realities that street children face in Ukraine and demonstrates the power of one person's unwavering dedication to a cause. This movie is a tribute to those who have battled through hard times and come out on the other side, shining a light on the issues that cause pain and suffering in the lives of so many.
Almost Holy is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 73.
