Almost Holy

Almost Holy is a compelling 2015 documentary that pivots on the tireless efforts of a maverick, self-made Ukrainian Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, in rescuing the homeless, drug-addicted youth in Ukraine, through his non-profit organization named Pilgrim Republic. Directed by Steve Hoover, the film runs an unfiltered lens over the tumultuous reality of a nation grappling with social issues, addressing them with a balanced blend of stark reality, humanity and hope.

The film effectively captures Gennadiy's relentless mission to save the lost children of his city, plunging deep into the harsh dark alleys, often pestilent with drugs, violence, and destitution. Gennadiy Mokhnenko exercises a bold and proactive approach, sometimes confronting drug dealers head-on, and at other times, persuading the homeless kids to leave the streets and taking them to the Pilgrim Republic where they are cared for and rehabilitated.

Almost Holy, originally titled "Crocodile Gennadiy" after the popular Russian cartoon character who helped those in need, doesn't shy away from showcasing Mokhnenko's controversial methods, which include intervention and abduction. The camera captures these riveting and intense moments, allowing viewers to witness first-hand Mokhnenko’s ongoing struggle in his fight against the tide of social ills besieging his hometown of Mariupol, Ukraine.

As an audience, you are taken on a journey into the heart of Ukraine's societal crisis, giving a raw, poignant glimpse into Ukraine's collapse of political, economic, and social systems. You experience the impact of these realities on the city's most vulnerable inhabitants-its children, and how one man’s quest to make difference persistently take him to the city’s darkest corners.

The film cleverly nests Mokhnenko's altruistic crusade in the broader context of Ukraine's political turmoil. The duration of the documentary covers a significant period wherein Ukraine went through significant changes, including the Orange Revolution, Euromaidan protests, and the Russian annexation of Crimea. This serves as a stark backdrop to the story and emphasizes the daunting challenges that Mokhnenko and his republic are up against in a country perpetually embattled with social and political unrest.

Simultaneously, Almost Holy is a character study of Gennadiy Mokhnenko. It portrays him as a straight-talking man with an unwavering sense of justice ingrained with an irresistible drive towards hands-on community action. This makes the narrative intensely personal, as viewers are privy to Mokhnenko's tireless passion, fierce determination, empathetic nature, and occasionally controversial methodologies in dealing with the city's child addiction problem.

The documentary's striking visuals, under Hoover's artistic direction, paint a vivid picture of the grim realities of life on the streets. These are brilliantly contrasted with scenes of rehabilitation and renewed hope within Pilgrim Republic's walls, providing an absorbing visual storytelling experience. Coupled with an engrossing and moving score by award-winning composer Atticus Ross and Leopold Ross, the film successfully envelops the audience in its narrative, eliciting a range of emotions that fluctuate between despair, fear, hope, and sometimes even joy.

This emotionally charged atmosphere enhances the documentary's overall portrayal of the mission, allowing viewers to experience Mokhnenko's roller-coaster journey both intellectually and emotionally. The storytelling is earnest and poignant, punctuated with scenes of the children themselves, shell-shocked and sullen, caught in an anger-induced maelstrom of drug addiction, and yet depicting sparks of hope and resilience at the possibility of a second chance.

In conclusion, Almost Holy is a thought-provoking documentary that casts a harsh light on the potent social issues plaguing Ukraine and brings into focus an unconventional hero who takes it upon himself to wage a war on these issues. While it does not attempt to gloss over the complex political situation country or downplay the gravity of the children's conditions, it leaves its audience with a sense of belief in the transformative power of determination and kindness.

Almost Holy serves as a compelling chronicle of a man's unyielding commitment to change, no matter how insurmountable the obstacles may seem. In Mokhnenko we see an uncompromising sentinel standing guard against the storm of societal ills, serving both as a beacon of hope for the lost and a defiant challenge to the status quo. This film is not just an illuminating view of social conditions in Ukraine, but also an inspiring testament to the power of human compassion and resilience.