Good People Go To Hell, Saved People Go To Heaven
Exploring the Christian Rapture culture amid the devastation of a hurricane and the fear of an apocalypse
They call it God's simple plan for salvation. Across America, Evangelical Christians are pointing to recent natural disasters as proof of the imminent return of Christ. As Louisiana in particular reels from a series of deadly hurricanes, orthodox believers throughout the state are attempting to rebuild their lives whilst preparing themselves for Armageddon.
"If we don't wake up and if we don't get real with Jesus, then this country is in terrible, terrible danger. We ain't seen nothing yet", warns Lance Rowe. Dressed in a flowing white robe and with a long grey beard, Lance is walking the length of the Mississippi river shouldering a gigantic cross. He is spreading the word of God's imminent return. "A lot of people, when they see me they might think, 'look at that nut, who does he think he is, Jesus?' It doesn't matter what they think of me. They still think about Jesus", he explains.
As people throughout Louisiana struggle to rebuild after a series of catastrophic hurricanes, born again Christians like Lance are warning of further natural disasters to mark the return of Christ. "These desolations are not the end but the beginning. The beginning of the End Times, the return of our Lord, the rapture", argues Mitsi, whose home was destroyed in the hurricane. "Katrina was God's way of washing out the old and bringing the new", agrees her daughter. A strict Evangelical Christian and youth choir leader, Mitsi believes that only true followers will be saved upon Christ's return, and is preparing her family, and her congregation, for Judgement: "this generation is too into themselves, I'm training them up in the admission of the Lord".
In the belief that God sent the hurricanes to punish America for its sinful ways, Christians like Lance and Mitsi are making it their mission to save the people of Louisiana. "It's not as bad as it's going to be. After the rapture it's going to be so much worse. You have the chance to change now, but you're not going to have that then", warns Aaron, Mitsi's son.
Good People go to Hell explores the evangelical missions of Christians like Lance and Mitsi as they spread the words, and warnings, of God. Intimate and unflinching in its gaze, the film lays bare a complex world of belief ruled by evangelical compassion and apocalyptic fear.
WINNER Knoxville Film Festival Best Documentary Feature 2nd Place
Official Selection St. Louis International Film Festival
Official Selection Louisiana International Film Festival
Official Selection IDFA
Official Selection Costa Rica International Film Festival
Official Selection Sun & Sand Music & Film Festival
LEARN MORE
WATCH MORE
JOIN THE DISCUSSION Gobbo Films, LLC