Meet Your Neighbor

Meet Your Neighbor was shown on CNN on Mon the 18th of May 2009. It was also linked to from CNN.com and In 24 hours the video was viewed 58,000 times at iReport.com.

Meet Your Neighbor, won 2nd place in the judges selection at the 2009 Fairfax Short Documentary Film Challenge.

It is about Michael, a homeless person living in the hills around Fairfax. It goes into the reason why he is homeless, what it is like to be homeless in Fairfax, and his larger concerns in life.

The challenge itself was to complete a 4-minute documentary in 48 hours. Official judging was at the Fairfax Theater 4 P.M. Sunday, April 5th.

Due to the extraordinary enthusiasm of the homeless people we had the privilege to interview and the depth of material we acquired I am editing a longer 30-minute piece to be shown on cable T.V.

This was a truly humbling and remarkable experience and Gary and I thank all who helped make it possible.

We feel extremely proud of this work.
Arnie Battaglene & Gary Scozzafava

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Fairfax
• short
• documentary
• challenge
• 2009
• meet
• your
• neighbor
• inremoteplaces
• arn
• battaglene
• gary
• scozzafava

[joannemom3]

Michael is my brother. He has been in intermittent contact with me and my family for the past few years. I have to thank the people that made this film, it gives me some peace of mind for where he is. We don't give up, we have hope.

[battmail]

Hi Joanne. I am pleased to say Michael is our friend. Since doing the film there is a spark in Michael and he is having lots of positive interactions in the community. We have more video of Michael (really wonderful and heartfelt stuff), which will appear in the extended 30-minute. I saw Michael today and he was out and about enjoying the sun after the rain and he is in good spirits. I am so touched by your comments and I hope that knowing he has friends here helps.

Arnie.

[scgee]

Is the 30 minute version available?

[4458santacrj]

fuck u u faggot

[iamsavant]

fu santa whoever. I never said a bad word about your lover. I asked several legitiamete questions I felt the video should have addressed.

[iamsavant]

You should change you name to vikingQUEEN. You must be a slacker too. I felt I asked legitimate questions. I never said he was not a nice guy.  I just think the video should have addressed these issues.

[vikingking72787]

hey iamsavant u should change ur name to iamslave

[yoursistersharon]

Hey Mikey, where's the source of the name straw hat ? I finally got a job (1.5 years out of work - thanks L & T& D& M & everyone else). I saw your Dad today. Even if you never hear it from his lips, you Father is proud.

[yoursistersharon]

I get paid so much and yet I'm ignorant. Keep up the great work/peace neighbor!!!!

[yoursistersharon]

I Love you Mike! It's me;Sharon

[yoursistersharon]

I Love You Mike!!! Sharon.

[4458santacrj]

fuck you iamsavant dont talk shit bout straw hat