A documentary by Zack Russell
Synopsis
Someone Lives Here is a modern-day David and Goliath story, set against the backdrop of North America’s housing crisis.
Carpenter Khaleel Seivwright builds small, life-saving shelters for unhoused people living outside in Toronto during the winter of the pandemic. His actions attract international attention, but also staunch opposition from city officials.
Trailer
“I’ve become the face of something that is a lot bigger than me.”
– Khaleel Seivwright
Watch
Streaming & VOD
CRAVE
(Canada Only)
Upcoming Theatrical & Film Festival Screenings
April 14-21, 2024
Cleveland, Ohio — Cleveland International Film Festival
Click link below for streaming info
Limited Time — U.S. Only
May 11, 2024
Edmonton, Alberta — NorthwestFest
Metro Cinema
4PM Screening
More screenings & ways to watch coming soon…
Zack was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He has directed and written for television, and made two award-winning narrative shorts. His first short film, She Stoops to Conquer, premiered at SXSW and went on to win the 2016 Canadian Screen Award. His work has been screened at film festivals around the world, including TIFF, SXSW, VIFF, and New Orleans. Someone Lives Here is his first documentary.
Team
Zack Russell
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Matt King & Andrew Ferguson
LARUE ENTERTAINMENT
PRODUCERS
LaRue is an original content studio headed by Matt King & Andrew Ferguson with offices in Toronto and New York. Established in 2008, the company has been recognized with a number of awards worldwide and was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2019. LaRue’s projects create jobs and opportunities for film, TV and new media industry professionals year after year. The team continues to be a leader in original content production and work with some of the biggest names in the industry. With priority placed on realizing the vision of our filmmakers, it is LaRue’s mission to product and distribute creator driven content for audiences around the globe. Through collaboration with an extensive network of highly capable talent both in front and behind the camera, LaRue’s focus is firmly set on delivering excellent behind the scenes.
Marianna Khoury
EDITOR & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Marianna Khoury is an Antiguan film and television editor based in Toronto. Recent television credits are Kids in the Hall, Fruggle Rock, Workin’ Moms, Sort Of, Baroness von Sketch and Tallboyz. Her film work includes She Stoops to Conquer (TIFF), 7A (TIFF), and When the Storm Fades (VIFF). Someone Lives Here (Hot Docs) is Marianna’s first feature length documentary with long timer collaborator, Zack Russell.
Chet Tilokani
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Chet Tilokani is a director of photography in Toronto, Canada. A visual artist, his passion and talent for painting and drawing was a gateway to photography and filmmaking. After receiving the Elvino Sara Film Award and Cinematography Merit Award from Ryerson University, Chet went on to freelance as a DP and works on documentaries, web series, music videos, commercials, dramatic series, and feature films. His cinematography credits include “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” (New York Times, 2018), “True Dating Stories 3” (CBC, 2022) and “The Untitled Carolyn Taylor Project” (Crave, 2023).
Bram Gielen
COMPOSER
Bram Glen is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto. As a performer, he has recently toured and/or recorded with such artists as Jeremy Dutcher, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, The Mountain Goats, and Joseph Shabason. His own releases include the album’s Greetings (2018), Affirmations (2019), Requests (2020), and the upcoming Eight Plans (For Four Instruments) (2023). His recent film work includes Someone Lives Here (2023), May Flowers (2023), and Lessons in Temperament (2022).
“The film comes in at a lean 75 minutes, the perfect amount of time to tell Seivwright's story and explore the various angles to the greater issue of homelessness in Toronto. It's a simple thing, but particularly for a first-time documentary filmmaker, Russell shows a lot of restraint in not adding unnecessary pomp, ensuring the maximum impact is felt. The Toronto-based filmmaker's storytelling abilities are displayed throughout the film. Cleverly, Russell opts to have Taka, a woman living in one of Seivwright's tiny shelters, narrate the film using what sounds like clips from an interview the director had with her spliced throughout. Her straightforward and honest account of what it's like to sleep rough, the conditions of shelters in the city and the significance of Seivwright's work serve as an emotional guide throughout Someone Lives Here to remind audiences of the people and humanity behind the headlines and activism.”
Rachel Ho, Exclaim Magazine Review, 8/10
Press
PRINT & REVIEWS
“Zack Russell’s documentary and feature debut follows carpenter Khaleel Seivwright setting out to build insulated shelters for homeless people in Toronto during the pandemic, only to face opposition from city officials for addressing a humanitarian crisis. The modern-day David and Goliath story is set against the backdrop of North America’s housing crisis..”
Etan Vlessing, “Toronto Film Festival Picks Best Canadian Films of 2023”, The Hollywood Reporter
“This is the best documentary I have seen. Maybe it’s because I was rotting in the shelter the opening scene shows, or things were too familiar, but the 75 minute runtime was gone in the blink of an eye. I cried. Oh I cried. People really need to see this.”
Michael Eschbach, recently housed
“While the David versus Goliath tale is gripping in-and-of itself, Seivwright is a charismatic joy to watch, and the delicate and deeply emotional story is gripping from beginning to end.”
Jackson Weaver, 9 mesmerizing Hot Docs, CBC News
“This is the perfect film to watch now. Khaleel is a compelling, loveable character that we all need to know. And it’s great the way the film brings in footage from different realities: the voices of people who are directly effect by being unhoused. You hear the reality, you see the reality. I think it’s crucial for anybody to watch. And I challenge politicians to watch this. This film really riled me up.”
Barbara Goslawski, Frameline on Radio Regent
“This is a vital and important film because it explains why cities and states will never really solve the homeless problem and that some other means of getting people into real homes needs to be found. Highly recommended.”
Steve Kopian, Unseen Films
“‘Someone Lives Here’ is a reminder of what COVID has done to humanity”
Subhash Jha, Times Now
“Canadian doc Someone Lives Here seeks tiny shelter from the storm of homelessness.”
Sarah-Tai Black, The Globe and Mail
“Someone Lives Here is an intimate and frustrating portrait of Khaleel Seivwright’s incredible act of kindness... Is Toronto a mean city? Is it cruel? Is it trustworthy? These questions should be part of this election, [Someone Lives Here] should be required viewing for all...”
Shawn Micallef, April 30 Column, Toronto Star
“At an always engaging 75 minutes, Someone Lives Here is an important film that offers an on-the-ground look at innovative solutions to the homelessness crisis in our city and the barriers to implementing them.”
John Corrado, TheJoyOfMovies.ca
“The top 10 movies in Canada from 2023.”
blogTO
“‘Someone Lives Here’ is an impactful and well-constructed documentary”
Luc Lafontaine, The Queen’s Journal
“Empathy and diversity of perspective are at the forefront of the film.”
Emily Lyth, Create A Stir
“… director Zack Russell’s precise direction, Seivwright’s wholehearted personality and much-needed social commentary are enough to make this doc a festival standout.”
Kaveh Jalinous, “What I Saw at DOC NYC”, Book and Film Globe
“A lot of people have opinions about those living on the streets and in public parks. Toronto carpenter Khaleel Seivwright has wood, a saw, a hammer and, most importantly, a heart…"
Peter Howell, "10 Hot Docs Hot Picks”, The Toronto Star
RADIO & TELEVISION
CBC Radio Here & Now
Interview with Khaleel Seivwright and Director Zack Russell
Global News Radio 640 Toronto
Interview with Director Zack Russell
CP24 News
Interview with Director Zack Russell
CTV Your Morning
Interview with Khaleel Seivwright & Zack Russell
Global News
Interview with Khaleel Seivwright & Zack Russell
Toronto Star
Interview with Director Zack Russell
POV Magazine
Interview with Director Zack Russell
Toronto Life
Q&A with Khaleel Seivwright about the film
Spring Magazine
Q&A with Khaleel Seivwright & Taka
Contact
Production &
International Sales
LaRue Entertainment
Andrew Ferguson
ferg@larueent.com
Distribution, Canada
Game Theory
Hilary Hart
hilary@gametheoryfilms.com
Press Contact
Canada
Touchwood PR
Michelle Brykman
michelle@touchwoodpr.com
