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? The community is divided, and as the encampment continues to grow, controversy sparks. Some neighbors bring assistance to the people living in the encampment. Other neighbors lash out in fear and anger over the rampant drug use, crime, mental illness, and squalor that accompanies it. In the midst of this, County Supervisors attempt to address the issue, but it quickly proves to be a no-win situation and things are not always as they seem. 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 question: what is our responsibility, as individuals and as a society, to care for the most vulnerable among us?
Thy Neighbor (formerly titled Beyond the Shadows) is a feature-length documentary film. Production is complete and the film is currently in post-production. We proudly presented a work-sample as an official selection of EuroDoc International Lab for Creative Documentary Production, 2024.
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? The community is divided, and as the encampment continues to grow, controversy sparks. Some neighbors bring assistance to the people living in the encampment. Other neighbors lash out in fear and anger over the rampant drug use, crime, mental illness, and squalor that accompanies it. In the midst of this, County Supervisors attempt to address the issue, but it quickly proves to be a no-win situation and things are not always as they seem. 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 question: what is our responsibility, as individuals and as a society, to care for the most vulnerable among us?
Thy Neighbor (formerly titled Beyond the Shadows) is a feature-length documentary film. Production is complete and the film is currently in post-production. We proudly presented a work-sample as an official selection of EuroDoc International Lab for Creative Documentary Production, 2024.
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All donations are administered through Media Alliance, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
All donations are administered through Media Alliance, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
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.
