HELL HOUSE

This church wants to scare the hell out of you. Literally.

HELL HOUSE is a fly-on-the-wall documentary that follows the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Dallas, Texas, as they build a "hell house" for the Y2K Halloween season. Hell houses are the evangelical Christian church’s answer to a haunted house—a Fundamentalist fright night meant to scare the bejesus out of any nonbeliever. But instead of Draculas and Freddy Kruegers, the church recreates scenes that graphically depict modern-day "evils" such as botched abortions, AIDS-related deaths, fatal drunk driving crashes, date rapes, and drug-induced suicides.

Shot on gorgeous 16mm film stock by director George Ratliff and friends, HELL HOUSE is an outrageous, enthralling, and poignant vérité window into the creative effort and religious zeal behind this over-the-top event. The film chronicles the entire hell house process, from the initial script meeting to the lavish production design, while also remaining an intimate portrait of the people who fervently believe its message. Fans of AMERICAN MOVIE, EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, and MISTER ORGAN take note: this movie might be your new favorite obsession.

AGFA is honored to present a new restoration of HELL HOUSE from the original 16mm camera negative for the first time ever with director George Ratliff in person. (AGFA)