Homelessness Film Highlights Big Issues For Melbourne And Osaka

Media Release
Thursday 3 December 2009

Homelessness film highlights big issues for Melbourne and Osaka

The City of Melbourne and the Japan Foundation are proud to support the screening of The Homeless Student as part of the 2009 Japanese Film Festival held at ACMI cinemas from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 December 2009.

The Homeless Student is a film shot and based in Osaka. Melbourne and Osaka have been sister cities sharing a cultural, economic and sporting relationship for 31 years.

Depicting the true story of Osaka comedian Hiroshi Tamura, The Homeless Student is a comedy that explores the serious issue of homelessness.

Audience members go on the comedic journey with Hiroshi, who upon returning home from school discovers that he and his siblings are evicted from their home.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said that like Osaka, Melbourne faces the crucial task of addressing many types of homelessness.

"Homelessness is a growing concern in our community and we are constantly looking at new ways to support people who, for very different reasons, find themselves in these situations".

The City of Melbourne works with various community-based organisations to address homelessness in the city, and provides a variety of affordable short and long term housing. This year Council sold the historic Drill Hall site in North Melbourne to Housing Choices Australia who will build 59 affordable housing units and a community centre.

Chair of Council's Economic Development and Knowledge City Committee, Cr. Carl Jetter, said the festival recognised not only Melbourne's longstanding sister-city relationship with Osaka, but also 16 of Japan's most recent, entertaining and exciting films.

"Council's support of the Japanese Film Festival illustrates the cultural learning that can be achieved from engaging with other international cities. This is part of what makes Melbourne the vibrant multi- cultural community it is.

"Importantly, the festival will provide a unique opportunity for Melburnians to experience Japanese culture through film," Cr Jetter said.

The Homeless Student will screen at ACMI cinemas, Federation Square, Melbourne on Friday 4 December at 6.00pm. Tickets are available from the ACMI Box Office.

For further information on the screening of The Homeless Student or the Japanese Film Festival, visit the City of Melbourne website .

For further information, contact:
Jenni Bolton
Tel: 9658 9115

SOURCE: City of Melbourne