Within the gay and lesbian community, senior citizens are frequently seen as invisible people. This is especially severe for those who are on fixed incomes and lack the outreach and support of family and friends.
Carolyn Coal’s poignant documentary focuses on the creation of Triangle Square, a Los Angeles affordable housing complex designed primarily for gay and lesbian seniors. The film follows seven men and women who go through the anxiety of waiting to be chosen for housing units (a lottery system is employed). Some are able to snag an apartment in the complex, which they see as the answering of a late-life prayer. Others are not so lucky and need to face the possibility of social and economic isolation in their twilight years.
“A Place to Live: The Story of Triangle Square” simultaneously addresses three key societal problems that quietly plague today’s America: ageism, homophobia and the lack of decent affordable housing. However, the film never loses its temper, nor does it take on a tone of self-righteous indignation. The seven seniors observe their fate with patience and (where applicable) gentle humor, while Coal carefully details the financial and logistical challenges that went into the creation of Triangle Square. The resulting film is a warm and touching achievement that celebrates indefatigable spirit in the face of daunting obstacles.
Order the DVD of A Place to Live: The Story of Triangle Square at http://bit.ly/aptldvd