On the Streets

On the Streets

2017, Society  -   11 Comments
8.63
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Ratings: 8.63/10 from 88 users.

The plight of homelessness is particularly rampant in the city of Los Angeles. On the Streets plants cameras at the center of this epidemic, speaks to those who struggle to survive without proper housing, and examines the larger issues which contribute to their severely compromised way of life.

Using a detailed map of homeless populations devised by the Los Angeles Times, filmmaker Lisa Biagiotti travels across every corner of the city in search of personal stories.

On Skid Row, she happens upon a college graduate and his pregnant companion. They live in a tent and bathe themselves with jugs of water bought from a nearby store. For them, homelessness is a state of mind. While they await an opportunity that would afford them more ideal living conditions, they seem content in proclaiming the entirety of downtown L.A. as their home.

In the past two years, the number of people living in their cars has doubled. In Venice Beach, one of these vehicle dwellers chalks it up to the unreasonably high costs of big city life. He parks his RV on the side of the road, goes to work, and saves every penny he can. He's confident that one day soon he'll be able to purchase a home or apartment of his own.

Many others struggle to find a silver lining in the stark realities of their daily existence. The film journeys to a series of encampments and shelters where hope is much harder to come by. These Angelinos live under the constant threat of violent crime, premature death, drug addiction, and imprisonment.

The film also spotlights the figures who work tirelessly to offer support and relief to the disenfranchised. A community advocate travels the city delivering blankets to those in need. An 18-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department patrols the streets and greets each homeless citizen he passes by name. He considers it a sacred duty to protect the most vulnerable among them, but this instinct is often at odds with his oath to the community at large.

Harrowing, eye-opening and deeply compassionate, On the Streets offers a profoundly intimate portrait of homeless life in the City of Dreams.

Directed by: Lisa Biagiotti

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William
William
1 year ago

A job application is a document or promise to work, however; layoffs are broken promises; both the job and the retirement, furthermore; the physical address wage ($ Rent/160 hrs) is void of support along with senior support (after age 55 +10% support).
The job application choice is as a temporary income ending in eviction and permanent homelessness, without any access to the SSI retirement worth worked for.

Alv V
Alv V
5 years ago

Wonderful documentary. Really uplifting attitudes and lots of wise words from these people that have had to learn to not take life for granted.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Great documentary, nice insight

urban dweller
urban dweller
6 years ago

We do not need to interview the homeless. We need to be interviewing those that make/made them homeless. Washington, D.C.

Shyma
Shyma
6 years ago

Even if they are homeless they are happy succesful artists at thé same time i feel safe between their sweet heart #homelesshearts ???

sarah
sarah
6 years ago

the government needs to find ways to help these people

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

And they say the economy is getting better! I guess this is the new middle class

Mark Gaboury
Mark Gaboury
6 years ago

Most of them are addicted, one homeless person said. That is the main takeaway.

Joyce
Joyce
6 years ago

I was so moved by this documentary and especially the upbeat, respectful, warm and loving attitude of Lisa. Thanks for doing this human story.

Ivan Lee Livingston
Ivan Lee Livingston
6 years ago

I like what the buggy pushing homeless lady said about the L.A. times.
They love that paper in prison.
In Cuba I wanted them to play American / Canadian music and they asked why ?
I said everyone wants to feel at home when they are away....from home.......it relaxes people .

Leila
Leila
6 years ago

Excellent documentary. Wonderful interviews by a seemingly intrepid interviewer and team. Enlightening and sad at the same time. Well done. Now I'd like to see the follow-up of how their lives have improved and they all have homes, are happy and successful!