Nehemiah's Cross to be screened at Riverside Studios on Sunday

A short film about the work of  a Fulham church's homeless project has its debut screening at Riverside Studios on Sunday, October 17 at noon.

The film, Nehamiah's Cross tell the story of Nehemiah, who sleeps at night on the streets of Fulham and and makes St Andrew's Fulham Fields his home during the day.

78 years old, homeless and prone to quixotic outbursts, he appears profoundly isolated, yet he has made himself part of the congregation of this inner-city church.

The film was funded by Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Generations Together programme, a £360,000 scheme which aims at encouraging intergenerational volunteer projects in some of the most deprived parts of the borough.

Shot during Holy Week 2010, the film also follows the activities of the church and its weekly homeless project, run by the engaging and warm-hearted Pastoral Assistant.

Including interviews with project volunteers and members of the congregation, Nehemiah’s Cross gives voice to the homeless, whose frank views on the role that the church plays in helping them are rarely heard.

This short documentary film, which was filmed, produced and directed by Kate Church, offers an impressionistic glimpse into Nehemiah's world, piecing together his life, his relationship with the community and his deep religious faith.

As Nehemiah - or to give him his full title, Nehemiah Ezra Littlejohn Rolls Royce the 3rd  - puts  it: " Whatever thing me face in life it will be me and God alone."

Nehemiah's Cross will be shown at Riverside Studios in Crisp Road at 12 noon on Sunday, October 17. The screening is open to all and entrance is free.

It was made with the support of Father Martin Eastwood and St Andrew's Fulham Fields PCC, The Archdeacon of Middlesex, Housing Justice, LBHF Generations Together,
Directors Cut Films. Intervention Gallery and Riverside Studios.

Nehemiah's Cross was:
Filmed, Produced & Directed by Kate Church
Editor: Toby Clarkson
Researcher: Sophie Andrews
Cameras: Christian Herrmann & Marc Tiley
Post-Production: Andrew Elliott

St Andrew's Project for the Homeless provides hot food and clothing for homeless people every Saturday. All donations of clothing and non-perishable food are gratefully accepted. For more details please contact Pastoral Assistant Peter Strefford on 0207 610 3917.

October 17, 2010