We're All In The Gutter

CONTENT SYNOPSIS
Chronicling the experiences of the homeless and squatter community living in the Bear-pit Underpass, Bristol. Using music created by a central contributor, the film focuses on the lives of members of the homeless community, as they reflect on their struggles of sleeping rough; and how the Bear-pit community has offered them a crucial sense of fellowship and safety from their destitution.

During the course of filming, the Bearpit community came under an increased threat of forced disbandment by the police and council. In their fight to protect their urban home environment from being severed, the community strives to confront these unique challenges and prevent themselves from being further displaced. By giving the community members a platform to communicate their stories, the documentary aims to demystify the damaging stereotypes associated with homelessness.

STORY OF PRODUCTION:
Whilst studying at the University of Bristol, Ruairi Hoskins (Director) got used to seeing homeless people on his daily journey to University. Noticing that little seemed to change for those living in Stokes Croft, and the Bearpit underpass, Ruairi and two classmates were inspired to use their Documentary Unit to shine a light on the realities of homelessness in Bristol.

They began by asking a number of local homelessness charities if they could film their work. These requests proved unsuccessful, as they were busy at that time. However, a chance encounter whilst filming B-Roll footage in the area led the team to Theo.

Theo had previously lived at the Bearpit and was very close to the community.

Theo introduced Ruairi to them and he, in turn, told them about the film, and the aims for the project. From there, filming began, including access to the bear-pit community and providing their own phone footage, as well as, interviews describing the experience of homelessness but also highlighting the importance of the Bearpit as a community space for an often invisible group of people. Taking music Theo had developed whilst busking, which remains the soundtrack to the film. This formed the genesis of the film, which Ruairi developed in collaboration with Ed Scott (Editor), his creative partner since attending BRIT school together as teenagers.