Film director and producer Valerio Zanoli is no stranger to creating movies that go beyond mere entertainment. For the past two decades, his thought-provoking films have focused on intimate human stories, often delving into complex emotional landscapes and the social issues that affect our society. The latest chapter in Zanoli’s endeavor is the documentary HOMELESS, which investigates this seemingly unsolvable crisis from a more human perspective. The premiere took place in a setting that perfectly suited the subject matter: The 12th World Urban Forum, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Driven by the motto “It all starts at Home,” the Forum serves as a platform for addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanization.
HOMELESS is not just a documentary, but also a powerful tool in the fight to end homelessness.
The film humanizes those who are often marginalized and overlooked by giving them a platform to share their experiences, dreams, and challenges in their quest for a place to call home. HOMELESS strives to foster empathy and understanding, while also challenging viewers to reconsider how homelessness is perceived and addressed.
HOMELESS was filmed in Las Vegas because of the city’s contrast between the luxurious casinos and the desolate streets where homeless people struggle to survive. As the documentary highlights, Nevada and Las Vegas are the worst state and metropolitan area in the U.S. in terms of affordable housing availability. However, homelessness is a global challenge: UN-Habitat estimates that 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing, and the best available data suggests that more than 100 million people have no housing at all.
At the world premiere of HOMELESS, Christine Auclair, Coordinator of the World Urban Campaign by UN-Habitat, shared the following words: “World Urban Campaign is a family. World Urban Campaign is about solutions. World Urban Campaign is about giving a voice to everyone, and about changing the narrative as well. So, I think this is a very powerful documentary in that sense. This is really a key part of the Campaign.” UN-Habitat will use HOMELESS to promote its World Urban Campaign and #HousingMatters Campaign, which shine a light on the urgent need for safe and affordable housing for all.
Director Valerio Zanoli’s narrative sensitivity attracted the support of numerous homeless organizations, some of which are featured in the film through interviews with their representatives: Donald Whitehead Jr (National Coalition for the Homeless), Catrina Grigsby-Thedford (Nevada Homeless Alliance), Christine Hess (Nevada Housing Coalition), Chris Petersen (ACLU of Nevada), and others.
HOMELESS includes segments with U.S. President Joe Biden, the mayors of Los Angeles and New York City, the HUD secretary, the FBI director, and prominent homelessness advocates. Above all, the film follows the stories of five homeless individuals, who ended up living on the street and losing hope – especially in themselves. With the power of their words and emotions, they take us on an intimate journey that challenges us to go beyond stereotypes and to stop treating them as if they were less than human.
This deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary resonated strongly with the audience at the World Urban Forum premiere. HOMELESS was called “impactful, emotional, human” (nationalhomeless.org), “a cinematic portrait of everyday life on the streets” (theflashlist.com), “an exploration of the causes and effects of homelessness” (nyweekly.com), and “an honest look at what it’s like to be homeless” (goodmenproject.com).
One of the most heartfelt endorsements for the event came from world-renowned singer Andrea Bocelli, who wrote a powerful letter of support, stating: “Home is dignity, it is life, it is the warmth, the comfort, the joy of being able to count on shelter and to offer it to one’s family. […] I believe that each of us has a moral obligation to strive for the well-being of the less fortunate.”
HOMELESS is part of the project Let’s Make a Difference, an initiative launched by Valerio Zanoli several years ago to channel his talent as a filmmaker and social entrepreneur and make a tangible impact on our society. The platform aims to inspire and organize efforts to address the most pressing topics of our time: Homelessness and affordable housing, Alzheimer’s and dementia, childhood cancer, equality, eating disorders, bullying, and mutual respect.
With the acclaimed NOT TO FORGET, Zanoli delivered an emotional tribute to the power of belief, hard work, and perseverance. The film deals with the important topic of Alzheimer’s, and it honors caregivers as the unsung heroes who often sacrifice themselves to care for their loved ones. NOT TO FORGET was screened at numerous film festivals, earning awards and accolades. It is distributed in the United States and internationally by Vertical Entertainment and MGM Studios. Described as “heartfelt and moving” by The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, the movie stars Karen Grassle (Little House on the Prairie) along with five Oscar-winning actors: Cloris Leachman, Olympia Dukakis, Louis Gossett Jr., Tatum O’Neal, and George Chakiris.
Bullying, eating disorders and the shallowness of our modern society take center stage in ALL YOU CAN DREAM, Zanoli’s coming-of-age film starring international singer Anastacia. In her role as the protagonist’s guardian angel and mentor, Anastacia embodies the director’s message that sometimes we all need a little help to overcome obstacles and shape our future, without ever giving up. The world premiere took place at the Giffoni Film Festival, which is regarded as the leading festival for movies made for children and teenagers. Legendary director François Truffaut once said: “Of all festivals, Giffoni is the most necessary.” The U.S. premiere was held at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the most iconic movie palace in the world. The film also received support letters from the Office of the First Lady and UNESCO’s Education for Children in Need program.
Zanoli’s HOPEFUL NOTES is a deeply moving drama that brings the audience to tears while keeping hope alive. Set in a desolate hospital where children battling cancer and other diseases fight for their lives, the story portrays their struggle as well as the one of their families. The film is a powerful ode to love, earning the first prize at the International Social Commitment Awards and a 5-out-of-5 doves rating by The Dove Foundation. It is distributed all over the world by Pure Flix Entertainment.
THE MINIS is Zanoli’s debut work as a producer and director. The comedy features four little people playing basketball alongside sports legend Dennis Rodman, widely regarded as the best rebounding forward in NBA history. While it has a lighthearted topic and tone, the film revolves around the honorable values of equality and love. These are arguably Zanoli’s principles that tie all his projects together. The film is available in several countries, with an official video game and partnerships ranging from Yahoo! to McDonald’s.
Zanoli’s commitment to changing the world is perfectly captured in his own words: “I believe filmmaking could – and should – be used to make a difference. It’s called ‘movie business,’ but one can make money while still having an impact. That’s why I created the project Let’s Make a Difference and I produced films that raise awareness and funds for important causes.” In the case of HOMELESS, profits from the film’s distribution will be used to provide affordable housing for underprivileged families, further reinforcing the core message that homelessness is not a hopeless condition, but a challenge that can be overcome through collective effort and compassion. Housing is a fundamental need and right, and it is our moral obligation to treat homelessness as an urgent global issue.
