Beyond Homeless Inc. to benefit from movie

The premiere will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Greencastle Christian Church. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for children.

A Putnam County non-profit will benefit from a movie that highlights the realities of homelessness in America. 

Beyond Homeless Incorporated will play a large part in the No Address movie, which is produced by Robert Craig Films, as it was selected to host a premiere. 

The premiere will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Greencastle Christian Church. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for children.

Lea Durbin, executive director, told The Putnam County Post that when film production started last year, there was a promotion called "Big 5 Give Back."

"There are five pieces to this -- a docuseries, a novel, an interactive study guide, the movie and the soundtrack. Organizations who work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness were encouraged to apply. It was basically a form asking who we are and what we do. We were one of five Indiana organizations initially selected. Now there are several from across the state, but we are the only one in our region to be selected. All selected organizations receive a portion of the net proceeds from the profits of all five. Robert Craig Films is donating 50 percent of net proceeds of the movie to organizations hosting the film," Durbin said. 

Durbin said being selected was very important as it will help change the perception of homelessness in Putnam County.

"It was important to me for us to get selected because rural homelessness looks and feels so different from what others see in the city. The way homelessness is portrayed in the film fits into both urban and rural communities. With all the upheaval we're seeing, my concerns about a tsunami of homelessness and needs coming toward us has been replaced with concerns of catastrophic homelessness and needs," Durbin said.

Durbin said there several subplots within the movie, which include bad foster care, sexual assault, mental health, substance abuse and chronic health conditions. 

"It is put together very well. I had to leave the room a couple of times during the screening," Durbin said.

The film features William Baldwin, Ashanti, Beverly D'Angelo, Ty Pennington, Lucas Jade Zuman, Isabella Ferriera and Xander Berkeley. 

And, Durbin hopes a crowd turns out and has a realization while watching the film.

"I want people to realize that homelessness could happen to them," Durbin said.