'Little Hope Was Arson' Trailer Released, Church Burning Documentary Reveals Faith on Fire
A trailer for the documentary about a string of church burnings in Texas surfaced online Thursday, revealing a story that is part mystery and part faith.
The film, "Little Hope Was Arson," reveals the details of 10 churches that were set on fire in East Texas within one month of each other in 2010. The crimes sparked one of the largest man hunts in regional history; and even after the arsonists were caught, the mystery continues to unfold. What caused the two young men to set fire to so many churches? How did their families react to the news?
"Churches are burning, faith is on fire," reads the trailer. A story of justice, a story of forgiveness, a story of hope."
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Several narrators offer the back story on the series of crimes in Texas, with one describing congregants' desire to protect their churches.
"We had people camping out in churches waiting for bad guys to come out," one official explained. "This is Texas, they were armed."
Toward the end of the trailer, one of the convicted arsonists explains: "If you fight with God, you're just gonna lose."
In addition to chronicling the crimes, "Little Hope Was Arson" explores the importance of the church, and whether a church is still significant after the loss of its physical form. Produced by Trenton Waterson of theCollaborate and Love of Goodnight Smoke, the Theo Love-directed film is scheduled for release in Los Angeles, as well as other cities, including several in Texas on Nov. 28.
"From the moment I read about these fires, I knew there was a redemptive story that could rise from these violent and tragic acts," said Love. "When churches and families face such loss — of property and relationships — it can turn attention to what really matters."
Watch the trailer for "Little Hope Was Arson" here.
