A social examination of the two cities of Mumbai and Los Angeles and the struggles and causes of the most disenfranchised populations in these systems.A social examination of the two cities of Mumbai and Los Angeles and the struggles and causes of the most disenfranchised populations in these systems.A social examination of the two cities of Mumbai and Los Angeles and the struggles and causes of the most disenfranchised populations in these systems.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 2 nominations
Photos
Storyline
Featured review
A furious, ambitious, incisive documentary about what 'homelessness' means in the modern world
Director David Albert Habif facilitates a searing, eye-opening discussion on homelessness, with experts from the United States, India, and beyond expounding on a wide range of topics
Those of us who live in cities (which, according to the latest statistics, is well over half the human population) are front-row witnesses to the fact that homelessness is rapidly increasing.
And yet, whether through ignorance, weak assumptions, increased individualism, or just the chaotic and often fast-paced nature of modern life, the 21st Century has felt like a general tapering off of the discussion of homelessness and how we can help solve the problems that cause it.
David Albert Habif is here to reignite that conversation - and he's doing so by lighting a director's equivalent of a stick of dynamite.
Still Human is a meticulous, methodical, analytical documentary which delves into the nature of homelessness with a clinical eye and not a hint of judgement, moralising, blame-placing, or quick fixes.
Habif speaks about homelessness on a comparative level, receiving input from experts, economists, doctors, activists, and homelessness workers from across the globe, in order to tell a multi-faceted 2-hour story.
The documentary focuses most specifically on the USA and India, and how people respond to homelessness in those countries on political, social, medical, and personal levels.
Habif's scope is incredibly impressive. He moves seamlessly from diving into the economic models of countries like Finland and Switzerland - and explains, in great detail (along with excellent graphics) why exactly their systems can't easily be replicated in countries which are 100x their size.
From there, he covers everything from the war on drugs, to the oligarchical systems which threaten human progress and reinforce poverty, to mental illness, to different cultural responses to homelessness.
At the centre of it all is Habif's voice - his clear, clinical narrative focus. The documentary works so well because Habif never tires of finding answers to the slightly naive questions that most of us have asked about homelessness. "Why wouldn't it work to just build enough houses for everyone to live in?" "Why are there so many homeless people in LA?" "Well," he seems to say, "here's a broad range of experts called upon to give insightful answers to those exact questions."
The documentary isn't perfect, of course. The wide range of topics covered - as well as the quick pace at which their analysed - can often leave the viewer feeling slightly lost or overwhelmed. As an example, within the space of a few minutes, you're thrown from modern-day homelessness, to the bubonic plague, to 17th English monarchial revolutions, to the Industrial Revolution, then to a quick stop at colonialism and slavery, then back to modern homelessness. It's compelling, yes, and you're very much there for the ride, but it's also dizzying and you sometimes feel like you're not always getting the requisite detail.
Still, if the worst criticism that can be levelled at this film is that it covers too much, then that's not a bad criticism at all.
Habif also deserves extra applause with Still Human for the fact that he never even hints at veering into a partisan political discussion (which many creatives and documentary makers in the Western world are guilty of doing). This film is far too intelligent and complex to find itself pointing a finger at 'right' or 'left' and saying, 'There's who to blame.' The issues are multiple - and Habif is determined to cover as many as he can.
An excellent film.
Those of us who live in cities (which, according to the latest statistics, is well over half the human population) are front-row witnesses to the fact that homelessness is rapidly increasing.
And yet, whether through ignorance, weak assumptions, increased individualism, or just the chaotic and often fast-paced nature of modern life, the 21st Century has felt like a general tapering off of the discussion of homelessness and how we can help solve the problems that cause it.
David Albert Habif is here to reignite that conversation - and he's doing so by lighting a director's equivalent of a stick of dynamite.
Still Human is a meticulous, methodical, analytical documentary which delves into the nature of homelessness with a clinical eye and not a hint of judgement, moralising, blame-placing, or quick fixes.
Habif speaks about homelessness on a comparative level, receiving input from experts, economists, doctors, activists, and homelessness workers from across the globe, in order to tell a multi-faceted 2-hour story.
The documentary focuses most specifically on the USA and India, and how people respond to homelessness in those countries on political, social, medical, and personal levels.
Habif's scope is incredibly impressive. He moves seamlessly from diving into the economic models of countries like Finland and Switzerland - and explains, in great detail (along with excellent graphics) why exactly their systems can't easily be replicated in countries which are 100x their size.
From there, he covers everything from the war on drugs, to the oligarchical systems which threaten human progress and reinforce poverty, to mental illness, to different cultural responses to homelessness.
At the centre of it all is Habif's voice - his clear, clinical narrative focus. The documentary works so well because Habif never tires of finding answers to the slightly naive questions that most of us have asked about homelessness. "Why wouldn't it work to just build enough houses for everyone to live in?" "Why are there so many homeless people in LA?" "Well," he seems to say, "here's a broad range of experts called upon to give insightful answers to those exact questions."
The documentary isn't perfect, of course. The wide range of topics covered - as well as the quick pace at which their analysed - can often leave the viewer feeling slightly lost or overwhelmed. As an example, within the space of a few minutes, you're thrown from modern-day homelessness, to the bubonic plague, to 17th English monarchial revolutions, to the Industrial Revolution, then to a quick stop at colonialism and slavery, then back to modern homelessness. It's compelling, yes, and you're very much there for the ride, but it's also dizzying and you sometimes feel like you're not always getting the requisite detail.
Still, if the worst criticism that can be levelled at this film is that it covers too much, then that's not a bad criticism at all.
Habif also deserves extra applause with Still Human for the fact that he never even hints at veering into a partisan political discussion (which many creatives and documentary makers in the Western world are guilty of doing). This film is far too intelligent and complex to find itself pointing a finger at 'right' or 'left' and saying, 'There's who to blame.' The issues are multiple - and Habif is determined to cover as many as he can.
An excellent film.
helpful•30
- petermcgoran
- Apr 25, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Filming locations
- Mumbai, India(The city itself)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $80,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours
- Color
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