THE STREETS ARE NOT EMPTY
The homeless men of Toronto during COVID-19
Allan Cullen is a disability activist. He is an award wining graduate of
the art centre, a three year arts program at Central Tech where he
studied Fine Arts. His work documents social issues particularly
homelessness and disability. He has had his work shown at numerous
galleries over the past decade.
Allan knows
difficulty, hardship and what it means to live “rough” in the city. He has
endured a tough life and existence and uses his life and art to bring to light
the experience of those inhabiting the streets and shelters of Toronto, the
city’s homeless community. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, this mission
has only grown of import. While those with homes have been able to quarantine,
to quote Allan “ The Streets are not empty”, as this disenfranchised segment of
our society has had an even harsher experience.
This film project,
fully recognizes the difficulty of the subject matter in all respects (ethics,
challenge in production, sensitivity. The proposed film project will be focused
on Allan, his work, and his exploration of this subject matter. Allan has been
active through the pandemic (fortunately still at good health), and has
compiled footage. This project will compile the footage, work it together with
him, his presence, input, and will be a combination of the exploration of the
subject matter, and of Allan’s exploration of it.
The proposed short
film will have a length of 12-15 minutes. It will be engaged with Allan on his
artists mission and work, it will introduce and be interspersed with his
interviews with homeless men, as well as his photography. There will also be a
poetic and musical component provided by Anthony Van Zant, a collaborator of
Allan’s who is a street survivor with lived experience “on the curb” who will
be providing poetry and music for this film.
