Synopsis

“It’s not a life – it’s not even an existence. It’s like torture. And every day gets that little bit harder.”

A film version of the acclaimed stage play Rough Sleeper is having its world premiere at the Abbey Theatre – as a streamed broadcast to audiences at home.

Local actor, director and playwright Jo Emery felt compelled to write about the homeless crisis. After successful performances of her play earlier this year, she leapt at the chance when a professional film maker asked if he could shoot it as a film.

The story is about a man sleeping rough in the doorway of a closed-down high street store. Originally written as a monologue with several other character cameos, the man tells his life story, from the 1970s to the present day, revealing how he rose from rags to riches and then fell from grace into homelessness.

It highlights the brutal harshness of life on the streets in an affluent South of England city, and contains some strong language, some harrowing moments and dark humour.