Justine’s film shows reality of life as a homeless woman
A FILM made for the launch of a charity’s winter appeal has captured the realities of the life of a rough sleeper.
The film, called Lone, is based on the experiences of the homeless community as portrayed by awardwinning actress Justine Emma Moore.
Justine, 21, who lives in Long Eaton, takes on the role of Gemma, whose character and life is based on that of the service users at homelessness charity Emmanuel House in Nottingham.
In the film, Gemma’s relationships with her mum, her mum’s partner and her boyfriend, Darren, break down. This leaves her with nowhere to go but the streets.
It depicts a very real experience, with many becoming homeless as a result of relationships breaking down, particularly amid the pandemic.
Speaking of her role in the film, Justine – who has won a number of awards including Best Actress at the Odesa International Film Festival – said: “It is important to humanise the issue. People see those who are homeless as a nuisance and some of the stories I was told were horrific.
“It was very daunting. I knew I was going to be acting with real Emmanuel House workers and inside the day centre.
“I’m one for charity shops and I’ve been into Emmanuel House many times, but you do not realise that the building behind this was to help homeless people.
“So this was a brilliant experience. I lived it and I felt like I was going through what Gemma was going through.
“The scene where I am crying, by that point we all had to go outside and take a deep breath. It was very
intense.”
To write the story, directors Luke Radford and Toby Curson spoke to rough sleeping navigator Hannah Byrne, who has worked with more than 40 homeless women in Nottingham.
The film was shot during the pandemic, with some scenes taking place outside the now-derelict Riverway pub in the Meadows, as well as along the Nottingham Canal, a well-known location for the homeless community.
Luke, who lives in New Basford, and Toby, of Carlton, previously directed the hit BBC One film Soul Boy, which is also set in the city.
Luke said: “I feel like homelessness is getting worse and worse. These kinds of charities do not get enough support and recognition.
“It is easy for people to turn their back on these issues. So our main thing is telling stories about marginalised people, characters who fall through the cracks.”
Toby said: “When we took the project on there was already a storyline written for us but we took that away and we heard some case studies and we wanted it to be about those who the general public may not recognise as being homeless.”
Luke and Toby said they used actors from TV Workshop, including Justine and Nick Preston, who plays Darren.
The first-person narration was written by playwright Sophie Ellerby. At one point in the film, Gemma meets Stacey, who tells her about Emmanuel House.
Stacey is played by charity beneficiary Lisa Terry. This, they say, allowed the film to come across as “genuine”.
Many lines were, in fact, improvised on the spot and “genuine emotions” were displayed throughout.
At the end of the film, Gemma is shown entering Emmanuel House, where she receives new clothing and takes a hot shower.
Emmanuel House chief executive Denis Tully has before spoken of the importance of a shower on someone who has been homeless.
It is an act that can signal a turning point in their lives.
Speaking of the film, Mr Tully added: “We’re trying to help people to understand the subtleties that can be involved in someone becoming homeless.
“It isn’t simply about making poor decisions or being lazy or about drugs and alcohol – it is often a result of a collection of different circumstances that may be complex.
“It was really important for the film’s authenticity that our beneficiaries were involved in the project.
“It’s important that our beneficiaries are seen and heard and that their story is told. What they have to say is always more powerful than what we could say on their behalf.
“Too often they are not listened to, despite wanting to be heard.”
Make a financial donation to contribute to the running of Emmanuel House’s services via Virgin Money or make a bank transfer (download a form for bank details and send it to accounts@ emmanuelhouse.org.uk). Text 70450 to donate £5 (texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message), or text WINTER10 to donate £10, WINTER15 to donate £15 and so on.