Part worship experience and part documentary, Hillsong – Let Hope Rise delivers an intimate look into the life and ministry work of perhaps the most successful Christian bands in history – Hillsong United. The film follows the Australian – based band, as it writes, records and prepares for a major show at the Forum in Inglewood Los Angeles. Rather impressive, considering they are “the biggest band in the world nobody’s ever heard of,” according to Hillsong New York lead Pastor and worship leader Joel Houston.
While thoughtfully crafted via interviews, touching back stories and early footage of its then young band doing life together, it is perhaps the behind-the-scenes-look as members of the band spending time with poverty-stricken families in the Philippines – that is most revealing and endearing.
Beyond several powerful live performances, the film does a great job of balancing what the band deems their accidental rock star status, (they have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide), with the hard realities of being on the road and away from their young families.
Visually and musically, Let Hope Rise is moving, honest and an immersive experience beyond expectations. Quite a feat, considering the band’s humble beginnings as an energetic group of youth pastors – but all the more meaningful as audiences get a glimpse into the band’s ‘creative process,’ which for your average performing artist would be nothing short of a miracle.
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