Am I here? There’s a new documentary from director Alex Fagen, whose previous work includes The Irish Pub, Older Than Ireland and Abbeyfealegud.
As well as being broadcast tonight on RTÉ One, it can also be viewed anytime on RTÉ Player.
It features a diverse group of people all living on or off the streets of Dublin reflecting on what life is really like for them.
The documentary explores a year of life on the streets of the Irish capital, revealing the lives and stories of those who walk thousands of meters every day.
Typical of Alex Fagen’s intimate and sensitive documentary style, he lets those involved tell their stories. people like Liam.
“I’m proud to be Irish today,” says Liam. “Some days I’m not proud to be Irish, but I am today. You wouldn’t survive 20 years on the streets without the help and the love of the people of Ireland,” reports RTE.
A shopkeeper gives Natasha a warm sweater and Carrie a pair of gloves. But the other side of life on the street is when people talk about how they feel invisible to the world.
John says: “Irish people are generous when it comes to homeless people. A lot of them are. You will get people who will come up to you and talk to you and ask how you are. They will buy you a sandwich and through a few quid into your cup if you need anything,” reports RTE.
Liam remembers he had a lot of potential as a footballer. Sintija tells how she was a great table tennis player who twice won major tournaments in Latvia. Carrie talks about her love for animals and how she wanted to be a vet.
“People don’t know my past,” says John. “They don’t know that I’m a qualified painter decorator. I’m a great guitar player. People don’t see that. They just see a nobody,” reports RTE.
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