What is our individual and collective responsibility to care for the most vulnerable members of our communities? Thy Neighbor explores this question as it follows one of the largest homeless encampments in Northern California, and the community response to it.
About Thy Neighbor
Sonoma County is proud of its moniker, "Sonoma Strong," in response to its legacy of coming together in the face of natural disasters. But what happens when the county emergency is one of the largest homeless encampments in Northern California? Controversy sparks as some neighbors bring assistance to their neighbors in need, while other neighbors lash out in fear and anger over the rampant drug use, crime, and mental illness that accompanies the encampment. In the midst of this, politicians, stuck between compassionate solutions, government bureaucracy, and angry constituents, seek to remedy the situation, but it all proves to be elusive. Thy Neighbor is an eyewitness account of the tensions that arise, actions taken, and the consequences that follow. It is a portrait of a community in crisis as it explores the essential question, what is our responsibility, as individuals and as a society, to care for the most vulnerable among us?
Global Resonance
We proudly presented a work-sample of Thy Neighbor (formerly titled Beyond the Shadows) as an official selection of EuroDoc International Lab for Creative Documentary Production; on April 6, 2025 SCFF (Sheffield, England) is hosting a special virtual event featuring Thy Neighbor in it's Fringe series.
Support Thy Neighbor
We are 90% finished with the film. We recently successfully fundraised the cost of the music score for the film - thank you to everyone who made a donation, your generosity is appreciated.
The next step is to raise $7,500 to cover the film's sound mix. Please help us finish this film; make a tax-deductible donation to Thy Neighbor. All donations are administered through our non-profit fiscal sponsor, Media Alliance. More than ever before, independent media needs your support!
About Thy Neighbor
Sonoma County is proud of its moniker, "Sonoma Strong," in response to its legacy of coming together in the face of natural disasters. But what happens when the county emergency is one of the largest homeless encampments in Northern California? Controversy sparks as some neighbors bring assistance to their neighbors in need, while other neighbors lash out in fear and anger over the rampant drug use, crime, and mental illness that accompanies the encampment. In the midst of this, politicians, stuck between compassionate solutions, government bureaucracy, and angry constituents, seek to remedy the situation, but it all proves to be elusive. Thy Neighbor is an eyewitness account of the tensions that arise, actions taken, and the consequences that follow. It is a portrait of a community in crisis as it explores the essential question, what is our responsibility, as individuals and as a society, to care for the most vulnerable among us?
Global Resonance
We proudly presented a work-sample of Thy Neighbor (formerly titled Beyond the Shadows) as an official selection of EuroDoc International Lab for Creative Documentary Production; on April 6, 2025 SCFF (Sheffield, England) is hosting a special virtual event featuring Thy Neighbor in it's Fringe series.
Support Thy Neighbor
We are 90% finished with the film. We recently successfully fundraised the cost of the music score for the film - thank you to everyone who made a donation, your generosity is appreciated.
The next step is to raise $7,500 to cover the film's sound mix. Please help us finish this film; make a tax-deductible donation to Thy Neighbor. All donations are administered through our non-profit fiscal sponsor, Media Alliance. More than ever before, independent media needs your support!
Independent filmmaking is collective care. It truly takes a village to make an independent film. We are so
appreciative to everyone. who has participated in, and contributed to this project.
appreciative to everyone. who has participated in, and contributed to this project.
Thank you to the following for your generous support of Thy Neighbor: Anonymous, Teresa Book, Eileen Bill, Ann Falandes, Christy Garringer in dedication to her sister Traci Savage, Rebecca Hellwig, Rochelle Roberts, Maria Malaguti, Mary Pinto, Louise Richards, Gail Simons, May Tchao, Aibesse Tessema, Vicki Topaz, Jennifer Viale, Marion Weinreb in memory of Max Steven Jackson Weinreb; the organizations Clean River Alliance, Media Alliance, Sonoma Applied Village Services, Sonoma County Acts of Kindness, Sonoma County Homeless Action!, Squeaky Wheel Bicycle Coalition, and the numerous participants in the film.
Directors Statement
Driving alongside the Joe Rodota trail, I was struck by the sheer magnitude of the homeless encampment that had formed, seemingly overnight. It was a cold and rainy winter and Christmas was fast approaching. Miles of tents lined a main thoroughfare in my community of Santa Rosa, CA. Feeling compelled to act but unsure how, I attended a community volunteer meeting where people came together, each offering their unique gifts and resources.
Earlier that day, I had passed a street musician playing the song, The Little Drummer Boy, “Just me and my drum, pa rum pum pum pum,” the song was stuck in my head. As I sat in the meeting, listening to the community create a tapestry of collective care, I considered what I had to offer. Changing the lyrics in my mind, I thought, “I am a poor girl too … I have no gifts to bring, pa rum pum pum pum.” Then it struck me, “just me and my … camera.” I had a gift to bring. As a seasoned documentary filmmaker, I could bring my camera to the trail and bear witness.
I began to film as the encampment continued to grow, and as the community response became more urgent. Some neighbors brought food, clothes, warm bedding, and compassion to people living on the trail. Other neighbors lashed out in fear, anger, and frustration over the rampant drug use, crime, mental illness, and squalor that accompanied the encampment. Tensions rose. The community was in crisis, and there was no looking away. What had been hidden was now visible and we were all forced to respond.
Politicians, stuck between compassionate solutions, government bureaucracy, and angry constituents, sought to remedy the situation, but it all proved to be elusive. In the end, the trail was swept, people scattered, and smaller encampments formed to be swept again, and again. It was a vicious and brutal cycle, and Thy Neighbor documents it all.
Driving alongside the Joe Rodota trail, I was struck by the sheer magnitude of the homeless encampment that had formed, seemingly overnight. It was a cold and rainy winter and Christmas was fast approaching. Miles of tents lined a main thoroughfare in my community of Santa Rosa, CA. Feeling compelled to act but unsure how, I attended a community volunteer meeting where people came together, each offering their unique gifts and resources.
Earlier that day, I had passed a street musician playing the song, The Little Drummer Boy, “Just me and my drum, pa rum pum pum pum,” the song was stuck in my head. As I sat in the meeting, listening to the community create a tapestry of collective care, I considered what I had to offer. Changing the lyrics in my mind, I thought, “I am a poor girl too … I have no gifts to bring, pa rum pum pum pum.” Then it struck me, “just me and my … camera.” I had a gift to bring. As a seasoned documentary filmmaker, I could bring my camera to the trail and bear witness.
I began to film as the encampment continued to grow, and as the community response became more urgent. Some neighbors brought food, clothes, warm bedding, and compassion to people living on the trail. Other neighbors lashed out in fear, anger, and frustration over the rampant drug use, crime, mental illness, and squalor that accompanied the encampment. Tensions rose. The community was in crisis, and there was no looking away. What had been hidden was now visible and we were all forced to respond.
Politicians, stuck between compassionate solutions, government bureaucracy, and angry constituents, sought to remedy the situation, but it all proved to be elusive. In the end, the trail was swept, people scattered, and smaller encampments formed to be swept again, and again. It was a vicious and brutal cycle, and Thy Neighbor documents it all.
Thank you!
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