2021 · Documentary · 39 minutes · Pedro Kos & Jon Shenk
Verdict: WATCH – a truly important watch
“On any given night, 500,000 people in America experience homelessness.”
Lead Me Home managed to feel like a meaningful watch, and yet I don’t think I’ve learned a single thing. And maybe that’s okay.
The documentary follows homeless people from all walks of life: a victim of domestic abuse, a trans person whose family cut ties with them, a mother of two who simply can’t afford housing and taking care of her kids. There are also ex-cons and drug addicts in the mix.
In other words, exactly what you’d expect. People who found themselves in horrible circumstances, who don’t have anyone to rely on. We hear their stories of desperately trying to get food, and shower at hotels. One woman says “I felt my stomach was going to touch my back”.
However, it doesn’t go much further. The documentary gives you a glimpse into the politics and the bureaucracy of it all, but never really makes a clear argument. We’re then told homelessness disproportionately affects African Americans and the ex-cons community. But it doesn’t say a word as to why.
There’s an air of injustice when you hear the words “disproportionately affects”, isn’t there? That seems to sidestep the obvious reality: people who committed crimes in society will find it harder later in life. If I’m a landlord with one house to rent and my choice is between a law-abiding tenant and someone who has served time for a violent crime, choosing the former isn’t necessarily discrimination. It’s risk assessment. There’s no great mystery or conspiracy here.
So the documentary itself isn’t particularly illuminating or even thought provoking. But the topic itself certainly is. The stories are worth telling.
The other side of the coin is this: it puts your life and your struggles in perspective. I couldn’t help feeling fortunate for the whole 40 minutes. Anyone who has a home, or a place to stay. Family and Friends to rely on. Or even enough money in the bank to eat.
There’s also a sobering thought lurking: are we all closer to homelessness than we think? A job loss, an illness. Maybe an injury. Family breakdown. One day you’re employed and have the financial backing of your entire family (or so it feels), and in the next all of it is gone.