A new film inspired by true events aims to shine a spotlight on the issue of homelessness in America.
“No Address,” which premieres in theaters nationwide on Feb. 28, chronicles the journey of Lauren, a young woman played by actress Isabella Ferreira, who finds herself homeless at the age of 18 after aging out of the foster care system.
After meeting a runaway named Jimmy, played by actor Lucas Jade Zumann, Lauren is introduced to a tight-knit group of people struggling to survive on the streets.
The street family includes a gifted painter and veteran named Harris, played by “Reagan” star Xander Berkeley.
Singer-songwriter Ashanti takes on the role of Violet, another veteran who is battling addiction.
Actress Beverly D'Angelo, known for her role in National Lampoon’s “Vacation” film series, plays Dora, a former actress struggling with dementia.
Actor William Baldwin and television personality Ty Pennington, who hosts the HGTV home renovation competition series “Rock the Block,” round out the ensemble cast.
Baldwin plays Robert, a once-successful businessman intent on reclaiming the land the homeless group lives on for a lucrative development project.
Pennington portrays the character Mr. Mills, who helps change the trajectory of Jimmy’s life by giving him a job at a local hardware store.
Finding Home
“No Address” was co-produced by Robert Craig, known for his work on the 2022 Lifetime movie “The Lost Girls,” and directed by British filmmaker Julia Verdin, who also co-wrote the film.“‘No Address,’ the film I wrote and directed, shines a light on the struggles regular people on the streets go through,” she said.
California has the highest concentration of people experiencing homelessness, followed by New York and Washington state.
To help raise awareness for the issue, “No Address” will be launched alongside a companion documentary “Americans With No Address,” which showcases the real-life stories of those affected by homelessness across the country.
The documentary, narrated by Baldwin, also highlights the fentanyl epidemic by touching on its role in perpetuating homelessness and encourages viewers to advocate for better solutions from lawmakers.
In an interview with the filmmakers about the film, Baldwin said he was deeply moved and touched by the subject matter explored in “No Address.”
“If the pandemic proved anything, it’s how everybody is living two or three paychecks [away] from food insecurity or homelessness.
“It’s taught me how really delicate and sensitive the times are in which we live right now.”
Pennington, who helped build homes for families in need from 2004 to 2012 when he served as the host of the reality show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” said he felt blessed to be featured in the film.
“It’s a short role, but it plays a big part,” Pennington said.
“I think all of us at a moment can look at somebody’s life and realize, ‘Oh my God, I feel so bad, I really hope something like that never happens to me.’ But the truth about this movie is this is real life, and people like you and I that it happened to.”
Pennington emphasized the importance of looking out for others.
“It’s really about survival of all of us, because it’s an extended family. And if one person can come out of all of this, find themselves ... and then turn their life around, they can be a role model for somebody else and then that can instigate change,” the television personality said.
“I think this movie is sort of like the first spark that’s lit that sort of shines the light that lets people realize there is hope. And I think if you can start believing in hope, then we can all start believing in change.”
