Thank God! That somebody finally shine some light into how dark & disturbing, some of these faith-based reform centers can be. It's extreme evangelicalism at its very worst. Directed by a then- young evangelical filmmaker, Kate Logan; the 2014's documentary film set in 2006, takes an inside look at one of these institution; where kids are removed from their homes & forced to live in isolation in a foreign country, with little to no connect with concerned friends & relatives, doing hard labor, while also being subjected to a range of abuses, both physical and emotional. It's a very insightful enlightening documentary. However, there were somethings that could had made the film, a little better to watch. One of them, is having equal amount of experiences storytelling. I felt that, one of the subjects, David Wernsman's story, really did overshadow, the other two, Tai Mathieu, and Angie Blattner. Don't get me wrong, Wernsman's struggles in the rehab center was indeed, one of the most captivating parts of the documentary; but, if you're going to focus on the message about all the different types of negative experiences, an controversial Christian behavior modification program like 'Escuela Caribe' in the Dominican Republic has on people. Maybe, you shouldn't be, focusing most of your time on one person. That was one of the flaws of the documentary. Because of that, the film's core arguments & message does sound a little too repetitive & vague at times. This sucks, because the film could had gone into the really harsh nitty gritty allegations, made by other people against the center; such as death threats, sexually assault, & most of all, the unsafe working conditions that led to one death. It really could had gone deep, but instead, the film only cover the surface level of abuse. Sadly, this is not enough, to gain attention in the public & politic circles. A film like this, needs more victims like Julia Scheeres & Deirdre Sugiuchi to speak out about centers like this, to truly, make a different. Not only that, but more valid talking heads to endorse these claims. Because of the lack of that, these allegations will remain merely assertion, until they can finally be proved true. Sadly, it might takes another 'Jonestown' for any big reform to happen to these institutions. Another thing that could had, made this movie, even better, was giving more time on explaining how facilities like 'Escuela Caribe', were able to get, rich Evangelists parents to fly their children to outside countries like Dominican Republic, in hope that faith and discipline would cure & purge their sons and daughters of "ungodly" influences. After all, it was pretty jarring to hear stories of complete strangers being able to take children, oversea, by themselves, with only the parent's blessing. It really seen, like there was more to that story that the film wasn't telling us. It would had been nice to see, one of the parents being interview for this documentary to tell, their side of the story to see if they were aware of the center's questionable practices and motives. Sadly, we didn't get that. Instead, 2014's 'Kidnapped for Christ' made the parents of the subjects seem like unseen villains. Despite that, I did like how director, Kate Logan injected herself into her own film, as she played a vital part in helping one student try to escape. Seeing her, challenge her own faith, and developed a character arch from naïve religionist filmmaker into an activist for human rights was one of the highlight of the film. The film is so much more powerful with her, being there. However, it came with a cost, as the movie came across as somewhat biased; which happens to be, somewhat true. While, the documentary tries to be fair to a certain extent; allowing the faculty staff ample amount of time to tell their side of the story, through interviews. It's clear by the end, that the sheer weights of inhumane allegations against them, was too much, for Logan is play nice. After all, none of the living subjects, feature in the film, really deserve this type of punishment. Many of them, have never been in a juvenile delinquency center or commit a major crime. In the case of the three main subjects; their cases ranges from panic attacks, homosexual and physical childhood trauma. It's a clear conclusion that the folks in 'Escuela Caribe' had no clue, how to handle them. Even if, Logan was still trying to make a heartwarming film, it was nearly impossible for the faculty to be shown in a good light. The way, they ran that place was far worse than any modern day military boot camp. No wonder, why people found this documentary, upsetting. The things, they do in god's name is truly disgusting. The sheer fact that they drive most people away from religion is telling you, that they didn't do a good job. In the end, they close down and reopen under a different name 'Crosswinds'. Hopefully, they will shut down for good, one day. Overall: I have to say, educated yourself by watching this documentary! Learn how to be a good parent by trying to understand, what they're going through. Be aware, of their feelings. That's my advice. Don't ever sent your children, away to therapy institutions like this! Places like 'Escuela Caribe' can go to hell!

Deeply flawed doccie. It failed to convince me of its claims about the school. Though certainly there are questions about the school's conduct, Kidnapped for Christ doesn't offer any substance to back those. What it offers is anecdotal and even the interviews appear to be handpicked for some hope of controversy. At no point does it do what a proper documentary does: build a broad scope of all sides then narrow in on the flaws of what people said. Instead this was highly subjective and built its case not around the school or its inductees, but the gripes of a small group of pupils.I'm not defending the school or saying that there wasn't something wrong. But this film is more interested in picking a certain bone than building a thorough piece of investigative journalism. In fact, this is hack journalism - seemingly making something out of nothing. Perhaps there was something, but the filmmakers failed to put any substance to it.Jesus Camp and Fatherland are far better examples of the dangers of indoctrination camps, as well as how to tackle those subjects. Kidnapped for Christ is just lazy subjective bashing.

It is fortunate that producer Kate Logan found in Lance Bass a producer to tell this story and in him the celebrity to make sure the film got made and seen. It's a story that we should all see.Meet Kate Logan Christian worker and missionary and documentary film maker who decided to tell the story in film of Escuela Caribe, a tough love program with Christian overtones for troubled youth. Ms. Logan thought she would be doing a puff piece that the school could use. What she saw down there shook her faith right to the foundation.All kinds of kids with all kinds of Christian parents were sent there for a variety of issues. Those that could afford the big bucks to pay the school to abduct their own children had them whisked to the Dominican Republic where the rebelliousness was to be driven from them. Whatever formed that rebelliousness took be it simple disobedience, drugs, sex, general all around hell raising.The main focus is on David a kid from Greeley, Colorado whose parents learned he was gay and did not want a gay child embarrassing them. So off he was whisked to Escuela Caribe where he was abused and degraded and wonder of wonders it did not take. The young man was in understandable despair, but as it turned out had more intestinal fortitude than he even thought he had and survived the ordeal.This is a timely documentary where our various states are now dealing with banning conversion therapy for children. The secular world of mental health professionals agree that these conversion efforts at changing orientation was and are still bogus. Hopefully it will be banned across the nation.It would have a limited effect on a school in a foreign country as this one was located in the Dominican Republic. But wonder of wonders this American funded 'school' is now shut down. Somebody's prayers may have gotten answered.Kidnapped For Christ is a fine documentary and big thanks go to Lance Bass for using his celebrity status to promote and produce the film and the issue it deals with.

I just watched this Documentary, Kidnapped For Christ. It's a simple but good and necessary film that glances at what it's like for teens raised in Religious families that are forcibly moved to a foreign Country (Dominican Republic) to live in a Christian Camp-like Rehabilitation center for "troubled" teens that get into lots of trouble and/or disobey parents that feel they can longer control or influence their child's thoughts, behavior & life choices.Once there, the teens are force fed the usual judgmental/guilt-ridden melancholy BS found in all Bibles. They're forced to do various chores and a list of other strict things as well. They have to ask for permission to do everything and they have to be careful what they say and do; who they reveal anything to because they will be punished physically with a paddle, solitary confinement, verbal abuse and more. The film states that this type of organization is a Billion dollar business no doubt because the parents have to pay regular fees over a period of many months; likely until the parents and the organization feels it's time to return home.Many of the teens that are eventually released from these organizations are scarred for life because an imprint of all they endured is sealed in their minds forever, the few constructive methods as well as all the abusive methods. Anyone that has ever been abused (repeatedly) can tell you that those unpleasant/abusive moments experienced in life tend to stick with you and those memories can resurface when you least expect them to. They also have to face their parents again, the people that paid lots of money to make all this happen in the first place. Very extreme and expensive measures were taken by the parents in having their child "kidnapped" and shipped off to a foreign country to be cared for by unpredictable strangers that often appear emotionless & cold.I was definitely entertained and left with a lot of unanswered questions but I have a feeling much of the information left out was done so for legal reasons; yet the parents must have consented to allow their children to take part in this documentary because only a few random faces were blurred out.