Sandpoint Film Festival holds special 'G-Dog' screening
Father Boyle and Hector, his second in command of Homeboy Industries, pose for a picture. The Sandpoint Film Festival is hosting a special screening of “G-Dog”, a documentary which tells the story of Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who rescues kids from gangs by launching the nation’s largest, most successful gang intervention and rehab program, Homeboy Industries.
(Courtesy photo)
"G-Dog" is a story about second chances — about the charismatic visionary Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who rescues kids from gangs by launching the nation’s largest, most successful gang intervention and rehab program, Homeboy Industries, now an international model.
The film tells the entertaining, often hilarious story of how Father Boyle, called G-Dog by homies, became a gang expert using a powerful idea: “nothing stops a bullet like a job.”
By providing job training, tattoo removal, counseling, yoga, fatherhood and substance abuse classes - all free, Homeboy in Los Angeles has a 70% success rate at saving kids at-risk from gang life, rescuing thousands of former gang members. It’s the one place in the ‘hood that turns lives around and builds a productive future for young men and women.
It’s a place of hope and kinship, a community where Father Boyle says, “No matter what, the day will never come where I withdraw or withhold, or cut you off … that day won’t ever come.”
"G-Dog" has won multiple audience awards at several film festivals. L.A. Times calls it “uplifting and inspirational” and Latino Weekly Review “riveting … brilliantly told.” It was directed by Academy Award winner Freida Lee Mock and photographed by local filmmaker Erik Daarstad. It will screen admission-free outdoors under the stars at the Longshot Cafe and Wine Bar on Highway 2 and Boyer on Friday Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. In case of rain the screening will take place inside at the Longshot.