A documentary profiling the lives of five homeless Victoria residents is in its final stages of production, but its director needs help with one last fundraising push.
US AND THEM is a labour of love first undertaken by local filmmaker Krista Loughton seven years ago, at a time when she knew a lot less about the Capital Region street community.
“The film really is about healing, and the severe life situations that my friends (participants in film) have gone through, that have led to them being on the street,” said Loughton, who became close friends with each of her subjects. “I want people to come out of the theatre when they watch the film and never look at a street person in the same way.”
Last year, accomplished director Jennifer Abbott (whose credits include co-directing Sundance Film Festival award winner The Corporation) agreed to help edit the final cut of the film, which was funded through a successful Indiegogo campaign.
“We’re now in the final stretch - music licensing, editing fees, sound mixing, special effects,” Loughton said.
To help with costs, the US AND THEM team are holding a canapés and cocktails fundraiser tomorrow (June 5) at The Reef restaurant, 533 Yates St., beginning at 7 p.m. The $50 tickets include a new trailer cut of the film, drink tickets and conversation with Loughton and her colleagues after a presentation.
A silent auction will also be open for bidding, and the evening will be emceed by veteran broadcast journalist Stephen Andrew.
“We’re still accepting philanthropic donations, which could make all the difference,” she said. “This film is about giving a voice to the voiceless and forgotten.”
Contact Loughton at kristaloughton@shaw.ca for more information, or buy tickets at eventbrite.ca.
dpalmer@vicnews.com