Watch The Ballad of Robert & Harvey: We Are Not Far Away

The homeless are different from you and me. They have no homes. But they share with us the ability to love, the need of friendship and hope, and the capacity to surprise. Indian American filmmaker Parthiban Shanmugam lived among Atlanta's homeless and explores their complex society in this haunting documentary. Centered on the troubled friendship between Robert and Harvey, the film exposes the unique hardships and common humanity of people who live among us but who are virtually unknown. This is a kind of love story. We witness the familiar elements of self-delusion, delight, and embellished histories that accompany many relationships. And we see the strains when affection and hope encounter the darker sides of personality, including suspicion of murder. Running in parallel with the story of Robert and Harvey's friendship is an exploration of social rituals within this surprisingly organized community. Articulate denizens of the street intelligently critique the social systems that have emerged to (allegedly) help them. And they carefully observe street codes of ethics that govern their behavior and, according to some, justify the brutal punishment of violators.

Shanmugam has compassionately captured this community. We are caught up in the struggles of its citizens to care for one another and to live by their own rules alongside a larger society that alternately ignores and patronizes them. We see quite vividly our common need to explain ourselves to ourselves. And we learn that even in such an alien world, tragedy has an all-too-human face.

The Ballad of Robert & Harvey: We Are Not Far Away is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.