Buy or Rent HD
Buy an HD download of the 58-minute documentary to screen at your college, club or community, or rent to stream to your personal device.
A story about the merits and pitfalls of volunteering abroad.
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Buy $8.99 Rent $2.99
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Buy on Amazon $14.99Buy Book
Read Peace of Me: Reflections of Service and Self-Discovery, the memoir and essay collection by Travis Kumph that inspired H.O.P.E. Was Here.
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Buy on iTunes $9.99Buy Soundtrack
Listen to all of the film's original music—plus 9 bonus tracks—scored by the Latin Grammy-winning Argentinian composer Emilio D. Miler.
SYNOPSIS
Affluent, Boston-based college students embark on a weeklong goodwill trip to the slums of Lima, Peru in this story about the phenomenon of volunteer vacations—also known as "voluntourism" or service trips—which have fast become both a hallmark of global citizenry and a point of controversy for socially conscious millenials. In their attempts to teach English and work with developmentally disabled children, the students must confront the reality of their work and whether or not it’s creating positive change. A fresh take on a classic moral dilemma, H.O.P.E. Was Here deals with the intersection of privilege and poverty by asking what it really means to help people.
SCREENINGS
H.O.P.E. Was Here has screened all over the world, from 500-person auditoriums at universities such as NYU, Boston University, and
the University of Toronto, to intimate gatherings at youth centers and volunteer organizations in Belgium and New Zealand,
and film festivals in New York, Los Angeles, and the UK.
To screen the film to your alternative break program, volunteer group, or community, purchase the digital download above, or contact
the director, Mark Denega, at [email protected], to organize an event complete with filmmaker Q&A and post-screening discussion.
What people are saying about H.O.P.E. Was Here:
“We showed H.O.P.E. Was Here to all of the participants at our retreat and it brought about a lot of discussion and reflection. There were definitely some people who felt that it was uncomfortable, but the general consensus was how eye-opening it was. The word transformative kept being thrown around, and I think the film really helped our participants in being more intentional and self-aware about the work they plan to do.”
“A thoughtful look at good intentions.”
“We screened H.O.P.E. Was Here to nearly 600 undergraduate students and the reception was outstanding. Those who had volunteered abroad before—and there were many—had a lot to share during the Q&A with Mark. Students were still talking about the film days later during their smaller discussion sections.”
“Outstanding and worth your time. I loved the trip to Jhonny's house.”
“Will generate some heated discussion.”
“In addition to some beautifully poetic moments, it thoughtfully questions the nature of privilege.”
“Many college students living in the US have never seen real poverty and these volunteer travel trips are, at the very least, a way to open the eyes of people who may already be inclined to want to help others. Your film has done a great job to show both the positive and negative aspects of these trips and to open a dialogue about how they should be approached. It was also just entertaining and interesting to watch.”
“The editing and sound design are amazing and seamless. It flows so naturally.”
“A thought-provoking documentary.”
“Subtly questions the value of short-term volunteering abroad and captures the fish-out-of-water feeling that many volunteers experience.”
“Awesome documentary! You captured so many things that I think people need to hear in the realm of international service. After watching I knew I had to screen it to our entire Global Brigades chapter, and it definitely sparked some good conversation.”
“Perfection.”
“We had over 200 people view the film in a lecture hall during our overnight retreat for alternative break trip leaders and participants. We then broke off into small groups to discuss and had a great conversation.”
“Watch H.O.P.E. Was Here if you have volunteered abroad or are interested in doing so. Great film that stresses both the good and bad of our impact.”
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All contributions are tax deductible through Creative Visions Foundation, a publicly recognized 501(c)(3) that supports creative activists who use media and the arts to affect positive change in the world.
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