70 homeless kids, one stage, and the wreckage of their lives turned into art.
In the early 90's seventy youth from a Hollywood homeless shelter started a theatre project encouraging them to tell their stories.. The youth ran the gamut of racial, cultural and sexual identities. Only ten completed the project and became performers. This film documents the process. The resulting play, Friendly Fire, was performed at the prestigious Los Angeles Festival before going on to tour high schools throughout the city.
Direction
Nelson lets the kids speak, never exploitation, always witness.
Production
Zero budget, maximum truth. The shelter IS the set.
Director
Todd William Nelson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Los Angeles Festival 1996 was peak 'compassionate conservatism' era arts funding—this project slipped through just before the crackdown.
US
