PORTLAND, Maine — When filmmakers Richard Kane and Melody Lewis-Kane began working on "Building Hope," their new documentary on homelessness in Maine, they wanted to tell a story that would emphasize the second word in the title—hope.
That meant they had to look for solutions. Lewis-Kane said advocates for the homeless already have a good idea of what’s needed to change lives.
"Affordable housing. Access to health care [including mental health]. Support systems—getting a roof over someone’s head with services nearby," she said. "The other thing is income equality. Angus King says in the film there is no county in this country where a person working on minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment."
"Building Hope" was shot in several communities in Maine. Kane directed the film; Lewis-Kane produced and conducted most of the interviews.
In the end, the voices that come through most powerfully are those of the homeless themselves. A woman living in an encampment about to be removed by the city offers a trenchant observation: "I’d just like to know," she said, "how people can kick the homeless out of being homeless."
"We wanted to give the audience the opportunity to understand that these are real people," Kane said. "They’re not people just to walk over in the street."
"Building Hope" will be screened at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport on Sept. 19 and at the Portland Museum of Art on Dec. 14. You’ll find more information about the documentary and other screenings in the link above.