Film by former local resident brings to light homeless veterans
By KAITLYN KNOPP – Special to the Sun-Gazette
POSTED: August 30, 2008
When Alivia Tagliaferri wrote her first book about a year ago about post-traumatic stress, “Still The Monkey: What Happens to Warriors After War,” she never imagined it would take her to Washington, D.C., to make a documentary about homeless veterans.
“When I wrote the book, a whole new world opened,” said Tagliaferri, a city native and 1999 graduate of Penn State University.
After writing “Still The Monkey,” Tagliaferri found a study in 2007 about homeless veterans that said one out of four homeless people are veterans. This was odd to Tagliaferri, because veterans make up only 11 percent of the population.
“What I realized in researching this is we don’t have a clear understanding of it,” Tagliaferri said.
So she began her latest project, a film documentary about homeless veterans called “Beyond the Wall: Homelessness Among Veterans.”
“I am trying to help others learn,” Tagliaferri said.
This project brought Tagliaferri to Washington, D.C., where she visited various homeless-related services, such as shelters and soup kitchens.
With her was a team of cameramen and helpers that fit in with her “shoestring budget.” She was supported financially by corporations, the crew and individuals.
“We had fundraiser parties,” Tagliaferri said.
On her team were three high school award-winning filmmakers, Cory Jones, Nathan Baer and Marcus Clarke. She also had the help of good friend and producer Nancy Mantelli.
“The footage is really raw,” Tagliaferri said.
Tagliaferri said some of the most moving footage was shot at a shelter in Washington, D.C., where she and her crew spent two days filming. The shelter helps homeless veterans by providing social services and employment possibilities.
Tagliaferri interviewed veterans and those who provide services to the homeless.
“I wanted to make sure these veterans felt safe [in telling their story],” Tagliaferri said.
The footage, which was shot in June and completed by Aug. 1, was only the first step.
The documentary is in post-production and editing stages, and will be released Nov. 11, on Veterans Day, at www.beyondthewallmovie.wordpress.com.
The post-production stage is just as grueling as the actual filming, Tagliaferri said. Tagliaferri, sticking to a small budget, once again used a high school graduate to help with the music score.
Despite her young and ambitious crew, the documentary took plenty of energy from Tagliaferri to produce.
“I wanted to see what’s behind the number,” Tagliaferri said.
In 2009, she plans to submit “Beyond the Wall” to several film festivals and air it on public broadcast television.
To complement the movie’s release, Tagliaferri is releasing an updated version of “Still the Monkey” with a new title and cover.
“I am putting the documentary as a series, which I’m re-titling,” Tagliaferri said.
The overall producing and enacting of this project has been a long and heart-wrenching contribution on Tagliaferri’s part.
“It’s extremely powerful,” she said. “I’ve been moved to tears at times.”
To view a trailer of the documentary, visit www.beyondthewallmovie.wordpress.com. The film is produced by Ironcutter Media, a small press and media production company.