Because the homelessness disaster continues to worsen in America, “No Handle” seeks to shine a lightweight on the human tales behind the statistics. And religion, the movie’s stars say, can play a task in combatting the difficulty.
The movie, from Robert Craig Movies, contains a star-studded solid together with Ashanti, Billy Baldwin, Lucas Jade Zumann, Beverly D’Angelo, Isabella Ferreira, Xander Berkeley, Ty Pennington and others, bringing to life the struggles of people experiencing homelessness whereas highlighting the crucial position of group help.
Based mostly on real-life occasions, the movie tells the gripping story of Lauren, a younger lady thrust into life on the streets, preventing to outlive in opposition to overwhelming challenges. As she navigates this harsh actuality, she finds solace in an unlikely group of outcasts — every carrying their very own painful previous. Collectively, they redefine the which means of residence, proving that true belonging is not about a spot however the individuals who stand by you when the world turns its again.
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Grammy Award-winning artist Ashanti advised The Christian Submit that religion performs a big position within the movie and her life.
“I believe it is so essential to have God in your life,” the 44-year-old artist stated. “Having religion, believing in your self, having power, and having a help system — all of that’s so essential to surviving in tough circumstances.”
The movie depicts a wide range of individuals from completely different walks of life forming an unlikely household, an idea Ashanti burdened can be important in actual life. “It is actually about coming collectively and supporting each other,” she added. “That is how we survive.”
When requested how the Church may help these combating homelessness, Ashanti emphasizes the necessity for open doorways and open hearts. “Serving to to revive religion, offering locations the place individuals can discuss their issues, simply listening — generally, that is all individuals want.”
Directed by Julia Verdin, the movie highlights the fact that anybody, no matter background, can grow to be homeless.
Throughout the U.S., greater than 771,800 individuals lived with out housing in 2024, a soar from 2022, when the inhabitants of individuals experiencing homelessness was about 580,000, in keeping with statistics from the U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement.
Practically all populations reached file ranges in 2024, the report stated, together with kids.
Billy Baldwin, who performs a businessman in monetary bother within the movie, advised CP that starring within the challenge reignited his long-time activism in addressing homelessness.
“I have been energetic as an activist in homelessness,” Baldwin defined. “Once I grew to become a father, I took a break for about 15 years, however this movie re-engaged me.”
The 62-year-old actor underscored the psychological well being disaster on the core of homelessness, a reality he lamented is usually neglected in public discourse.
“Homelessness is known as a psychological well being disaster that the nation is experiencing proper now. It has been exacerbated by COVID and fentanyl. One thing needs to be achieved about that,” he stated.
“The movie clearly depicts how a veteran can grow to be homeless, somebody who ages out of foster care can grow to be homeless, somebody who’s having a psychological well being disaster turns into homeless. … The misunderstanding is drug dependancy led to their homelessness. It is really their psychological well being difficulty, they usually don’t have any entry to a health care provider. They cannot see a psychologist or psychiatrist. They cannot get prescribed the correct medicine for anxiousness, despair or bipolarity, they usually’re self-medicating on the streets with alcohol and medicines. So a giant facet of the dependancy part of homelessness can be a psychological well being a part of the psychological well being disaster.”
Addressing homelessness requires a partnership between company America, nonprofit organizations and the religion group, he emphasised, including: “If we wish to achieve success in fixing this difficulty, we want all fingers on deck. The religion group will play a serious position in making actual change.”
Ty Pennington, identified for his residence renovation and community-building work via “Excessive Makeover: Dwelling Version,” stated “No Handle” is a pure extension of his mission.
“I have been blessed to see what occurs when a group rallies round somebody and offers them what they desperately want: a house,” he advised CP.
Pennington was struck by how simply individuals can fall into homelessness and the way tough it’s to flee as soon as they’ve misplaced stability.
“We bought to see this encampment … [and met] individuals which are in these dire straits, that which have misplaced every little thing, that don’t have any deal with. … It is loopy how briskly you possibly can fall right into a darkish gap, and it is so laborious to get out,” he mirrored. “A house is not only a bodily construction; it is safety, id and the muse for a greater life.”
Veteran actor Xander Berkeley shared that whereas making the movie, he heard many tales from these on the streets that left a profound affect on him.
“I met a veteran named Mike who suffers from PTSD and publicity to Agent Orange,” Berkeley recalled. “He is managed to remain off the streets, however so many different vets aren’t as fortunate.”
Berkeley additionally highlighted the damaged healthcare system that usually leaves psychological well being untreated. “If somebody has diabetes, they get a hospital mattress. But when they’ve a psychological well being difficulty, they’re despatched away. Our veterans, who’ve sacrificed a lot, are sometimes those left deserted.”
He praised the movie’s creator, Robert Craig, for taking actual motion. “He could not bear to drive previous the Sacramento encampments yet another day with out doing one thing,” Berkeley says. Craig not solely financed the movie but additionally pledged 50% of internet earnings to organizations combatting homelessness.
Past the movie, “No Handle” is a component of a bigger motion that features a documentary, a soundtrack, a novel and a research information designed to assist church buildings and group teams take tangible steps towards addressing homelessness.
Baldwin burdened that shifting the narrative is vital relating to combatting homelessness.
“First, we have to deal with individuals with dignity. They wish to be seen, they wish to be heard,” he says. “We have to body this as a well being disaster somewhat than only a homelessness disaster.”
He pointed to profitable applications that he contended want scaling: “There are organizations with over 70% success charges in getting individuals off the streets. We now have the sources to do that. The query is not ‘Can we afford to assist?’ It is ‘Can we afford to not?'”
Ashanti stated she hopes audiences depart the movie with a way of compassion for the “least of those.”
“Be form, be considerate,” she urged. “If you see somebody displaced, do not choose. Do not stroll away and be scared.”
Homelessness is a solvable disaster, however provided that society is keen to take motion, Berkeley stated, including that via religion, group and compassion, actual options are inside attain.
“This movie is not nearly consciousness,” Berkeley says. “It is about inspiring actual change.”
“No Handle” hits theaters on Feb. 28.
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Submit. She will be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com
