The film is an unbelievable look at America’s homelessness crisis on constant display in Los Angeles’ 5-block radius dubbed “Skid Row.” International music sensation Pras Michel (1/3 of the Grammy Award winning hip hop group The Fugees) chose to explore this topic as few would do – he lived on the streets of Skid Row for nine days as a homeless person. The documentary follows Pras for nine full days as he devolves into a true resident of Skid Row. Narrative tales emerge as Pras befriends several Skid Row regulars and learns of their personal stories and life struggles. Their stories are shocking and heartfelt, touching and disturbing, but many showed a willingness to open up and share their experiences. The film also interviews community members who are key in the fight to save many of the homeless and offer them a better life. Orlando Ward of the Midnight Mission, once homeless and a resident of Skid Row, is a key partner in Pras’ mission. In detailing the conditions of Skid Row, he challenged Pras to “really go there” claiming if he did so, he would “never look at these people the same way again.” Footage is interjected with strong and sobering statistics such as: the crime rate on Skid Row is more than ten times that of Beverly Hills which is a mere 8 miles away; Los Angeles has the highest homeless population in the country, more than double New York.

Forms: Documentary, Feature
Genres: Human Rights