The prestigious conference provided the perfect platform for the film’s debut, as it brought together leaders, policymakers, experts and advocates from around the globe to address issues related to urbanization, sustainable development, and social inclusion. UN-Habitat will use Homeless to promote its World Urban Campaign and #HousingMatters Campaign, which shine a light on the urgent need for safe and affordable housing for all.
At the world premiere of Homeless, Christine Auclair, Coordinator of the World Urban Campaign by UN-Habitat (www.worldurbancampaign.org), shared the following words: “World Urban Campaign is a family. World Urban Campaign is about solutions. World Urban Campaign is about giving a voice to everyone, and about changing the narrative as well. So, I think this is a very powerful documentary in that sense. This is really a key part of the Campaign.”
Directed by filmmaker and social entrepreneur Valerio Zanoli (www.valeriozanoli.com), Homeless is a deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary that resonated with the audience. It was called “impactful, emotional, human” (National Coalition for the Homeless), “a cinematic portrait of everyday life on the streets” (theflashlist.com), “an exploration of the causes and effects of homelessness” (nyweekly.com), and “an honest look at what it’s like to be homeless” (goodmenproject.com).
One of the most heartfelt endorsements for the event came from world-renowned singer Andrea Bocelli, who wrote a powerful letter of support, stating: “Home is dignity, it is life, it is the warmth, the comfort, the joy of being able to count on shelter and to offer it to one’s family. […] I believe that each of us has a moral obligation to strive for the well-being of the less fortunate.”
Homeless has garnered support from countless homeless organizations, which are featured in the film through interviews with their representatives: Donald Whitehead Jr (National Coalition for the Homeless), Catrina Grigsby-Thedford (Nevada Homeless Alliance), Christine Hess (Nevada Housing Coalition), Chris Petersen (ACLU of Nevada), etc.
Homeless includes segments with US president Joe Biden, the mayors of Los Angeles and New York City, the HUD secretary, the FBI director, and prominent homelessness advocates. Above all, the film follows the stories of 5 homeless individuals, who ended up living on the street and losing hope – especially in themselves.
Homeless is not only a documentary, but also a powerful tool in the fight to end homelessness.
The film humanizes those who are often marginalized and overlooked by giving them a platform to share their experiences, dreams, and challenges in their quest for a place to call home. Homeless strives to foster empathy and understanding, while also challenging viewers to reconsider how homelessness is perceived and addressed.
Homeless was filmed in Las Vegas because of the city’s contrast between the luxurious casinos and the desolate streets where homeless people struggle to survive. In addition, Nevada and Las Vegas are the worst state and metropolitan area in the U.S. for lack of affordable housing. But homelessness is a global challenge: The United Nations Human Settlements Program estimates that 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing, and the best available data suggests that more than 100 million people have no housing at all.
Over the past two decades, filmmaker Valerio Zanoli has given life to a variety of socially conscious films that earned multiple awards, star Academy Award winners, and are distributed all over the world. Homeless is part of the project Let’s Make a Difference (www.letsmakeadifference.info), and it aims to raise awareness and funds to combat homelessness and inadequate housing.
To make a tangible impact, profits from the film’s distribution will be used to provide affordable housing for underprivileged families, further reinforcing the core message that homelessness is not a hopeless condition, but a challenge that can be overcome with collective effort and compassion.
Housing is a fundamental need and right, and it is our moral obligation to treat homelessness as an urgent global issue. Together, we can make a difference.
