Approved for 12+

Finding Hope Now

"Finding Hope Now" was inspired by the true story of Rev. Roger Minassian, who at age 53 left the security of his pastorate to step outside his comfort zone to do the truly amazing. Knowing nothing about gang youth, he took to the streets and transformed a city ravaged by gang violence.

It is also the story of Santos Delgado, a gang member, who at age 16 had no future and little hope. He knows his future was either prison or death.
11
Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

This movie shares a powerful true story, the story of Rev. Roger Minassian who left a steady pastorate when he was 53 years old to minister to gang members in Fresno, California. He faces tough attitudes, hardened young men, and violence as he goes after the gang members with a mission, to turn their lives around. He manages to reach some of the young men but must endure some losses along the way, including those who die violent deaths. This film is based on the book, “Gangs to Jobs”.

While this is a compelling and remarkable story about a man of God with a purpose, the film contains realistic scenes of slightly graphic but non-gratuitous violence. In addition a man who is cornered by police in a store following a robbery takes his own life and in another scene a father beats his son’s back with a stick. There is also a drive-by shooting in which a bloody victim is seen dead on the ground and then another shooting at a home which has kids as retribution for the other shooting. While there is some bloody violence in the film, the scenes are not overly graphic and are appropriate to the story. We are pleased to award this film our Dove “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12 and over.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A man throws a wrench close to a child; during a chase of criminals a man is knocked into a water fountain; a man kicks a car; several characters have guns held to their heads in various scenes; a guy smashes a couple's car windshield; a car almost hits a running man; some guys beat up a young man, kick him and pull a knife on him; a man says someone shot up his grandmother's house; a father beats his son with a stick giving him bloody lip; a man is seen carrying a knife; a young man is struck with a stick and robbed; a man knocks down a sign and cuts balloons with a knife; guys shove each other in anger; man holds knife on man; man shoots a man in a robbery and then shoots self; bloody nose; some gang members use baseball bats and beat up a minister's car; a man breaks into a home as he runs in fear and is shot at; a drive-by shooting and a young man is seen dead and bleeding on the ground; corpse seen in casket at a funeral.

2
Sex

A teen couple kiss a few times; teen girl is pregnant out of wedlock but her boyfriend turns his life around by film's end.

1
Language

Butt-1; Fools-1; Crap-2

2
Violence

A man throws a wrench close to a child; during a chase of criminals a man is knocked into a water fountain; a man kicks a car; several characters have guns held to their heads in various scenes; a guy smashes a couple's car windshield; a car almost hits a running man; some guys beat up a young man, kick him and pull a knife on him; a man says someone shot up his grandmother's house; a father beats his son with a stick giving him bloody lip; a man is seen carrying a knife; a young man is struck with a stick and robbed; a man knocks down a sign and cuts balloons with a knife; guys shove each other in anger; man holds knife on man; man shoots a man in a robbery and then shoots self; bloody nose; some gang members use baseball bats and beat up a minister's car; a man breaks into a home as he runs in fear and is shot at; a drive-by shooting and a young man is seen dead and bleeding on the ground; corpse seen in casket at a funeral.

2
Drugs

Several times money is exchanged for drug deals but one main character's life is turned around from this habit; a man smokes a cigarette and drinks alcohol; a scene of a party and drinks are consumed.

2
Nudity

Shirtless men play basketball; cleavage.

2
Other

A man shows disrespect to minister and throws his calling card back at him; a few characters attempt to recruit young men into the gangs; people's lives are threatened; the subject of death and grief; church scenes.

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