This film tells the story of the People for Fairness Coalition, an advocacy group made up of unhoused and formerly unhoused men and women seeking to stand up for themselves and the city’s most vulnerable.

Interview with Director Reginald Black

Watch Fairness Raising here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I am a person experiencing poverty and homelessness and wanted to show that the community does have platforms for those affected and that these efforts are not always talked about broadly.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The film itself is real. We went out into the community to film and found voices that normally wouldn't even get the time of day. We displayed some of the pros and cons to our political and social positions in the world. I even have it out with someone who is equipped to help a homeless person but who instead chooses to use forceful enforcement.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The goal of all our efforts is to get to a place where everyone has a decent place to live. We use our personal experiences to highlight the universal theme of housing as a human right and to show that these are the humans beings making that happen.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

We wanted to tell the story of our group and its accomplishments and the script evolved on its own. I would like to say that the story was there in the footage and all I had to do was put together the narrative. It was very interesting watching the many voices and moments during the editing process.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We have actually presented for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. They fed us and watched the film with us. We were on hand to give people who are working on civil justice the chance to see that poverty is the cause of some of the cases on their desks. They congratulated us and asked if we are going to do more films. Not every film has to be about poverty but I like to tell real stories.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes, because the community at large still ignores and stigmatizes persons who experience extreme poverty. People are worth their merits not the monasteries.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I want to reach audiences and encourage those voices that are in the room to speak out for themselves and show what is really happening in your community.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We need all of these persons—any community that is willing to show this film and support more films like it are needed. We need people from every walk of life to say poverty is a problem and to support media like this and groups like these so that we actually solve poverty.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

As long as someone learns from it I am fine. That is why I got involved with Street Sense—it helped me learn about the city, including the not so nice things. Getting to show both sides through film is a goal I have. Every community has a story and I would like to help tell some of these stories.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Are there any public spaces that could serve the public that are currently closed in your community?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I would like to do a piece about myself and the many things I do to help advocate for housing rights and against policies and ideals that promote poverty. I want to be innovative with this one. Sometimes you don’t get to customize how you think of your own story and that is one I am willing to tell: my story.

Interview: September 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Fairness Raising

Length: 29 minutes

Director: Reginald Black and Robert Warren

Producer: Homeless Filmmakers Cooperative

Writer: Reginald Black and Robert Warren

About the writer, director and producer: We are advocates who believe that housing is a human right and are committed to using media to spread that message.

Key cast: People for Fairness Coalition (PFFC)

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above

Social media handles

Facebook: Reginald Black

Twitter: @Reggieblack227

Instagram: streetsensedc

Funders: The Reva and David Logan Foundation

Made in association with: The Homeless Filmmakers Cooperative

Where can I see it in the next month? This film will screen at the DC Shorts Film Festival: noon, Sept. 12 at E St. Cinema in downtown Washington, D.C. You can also set up your own screening by contacting Street Sense Event Coordinator Dani Gilmour (dani@streetsense.org).