Approved for 12+

Father Joseph

Father Joseph established Haiti’s largest micro-credit bank for the poor (Fonkoze), which has given literacy training and financial opportunity to hundreds of thousands of peasant women and their families. He also founded a 700-student K-14 school, an orphanage, a clean water project, a reforestation program, a health clinic, and a radio station. He has built dozens of homes, and he created the University of Fondwa, Haiti’s first rural college. Along the way, several of Father Joseph’s friends and colleagues were murdered because of their work for the poor. Almost all of Father Joseph’s 25 years of work was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake, but he is rebuilding with an inspiring humor and determination.
11
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“Father Joseph” is a fascinating look at Joseph Philippe, the man behind the good deeds, who founded various organizations to help the poor of Haiti. He founded the Association of the Peasants, an organization set up to help meet the needs of the poor. He solicited various people to set up a bank in Fonkoze, as well as a university and clinic. Despite setbacks, including a devastating earthquake that damaged much of the newly built properties, Philippe always maintains an optimistic outlook. In one scene, he sings, “I am a peasant and I am happy.”

The hardships include the kidnapping of a bank employee named Amos, and the result is tragic. Due to the scene of a bloody back of a corpse and a few content concerns listed under the “other” category, we are awarding this film our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12-plus. “Father Joseph” shows the difference one life of faith can make.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A man is kidnapped; the bloody back of a corpse is visible; scenes of debris and destruction; rebellion against an elected official, and the military is shown; a comment about women having been raped and children and priests killed; a mention that a priest was shot in the heart; a man with rifles; body on street.

2
Sex

The mention of rapes.

2
Language

H-1

2
Violence

A man is kidnapped; the bloody back of a corpse is visible; scenes of debris and destruction; rebellion against an elected official, and the military is shown; a comment about women having been raped and children and priests killed; a mention that a priest was shot in the heart; a man with rifles; body on street.

1
Drugs

A man with alcohol; wine.

2
Nudity

Cleavage; shirtless man.

2
Other

A woman blames the U.S. for some of Haiti's past problems; a man says good deeds will get people to heaven, something many people of faith will disagree with as they trust in Christ alone; man states God did not do what God was supposed to do regarding provision, but admits he didn't do what he was supposed to do; a comment about marriage and divorce; a comment about different faiths meeting at a center, including Christians, Muslims, and people who practice voodoo.

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