The Right to Exist

       

         

The story of Camp Resolution is one of broken promises, protests, courage and unwavering hope. Two years after the city of Sacramento promised to build twenty new shelters, including one on the site that became Camp Res, they had failed to build even one. They also failed to deliver on their promise to Camp Res to provide water and electricity so that every day became a struggle for the residents to meet these essential needs.

Despite these obstacles, the residents of Camp Res formed a close knit, highly successful, self-governing community, held up as a model for other homeless communities to emulate. The city’s ultimate decision to “sweep” the camp, with its large population of women, LGBQT, and some disabled residents, threatened their safety and even their lives. The documentary reveals the resilience and determination of this marginalized and vulnerable population, as they fight for their Right to Exist.

"Your film is incredibly timely. I thought it was the best film about homelessness that I've
seen. It really humanizes people experiencing homelessness, the residents of Camp
Resolution. But then you really dove beyond a simplistic analysis of homelessness–that
“well, it's all about affordable housing.” In a lot more sophisticated way you add in the
need for trauma-informed care and the importance of housing first and [that] low wages
are driving homelessness. If you want to understand homelessness, this is the film that you need to see. Not only in Sacramento, but in California and around the country, this film will explain it to you in a very straightforward manner."
-Bob Erlenbusch  

"Too often in debates around homelessness, the voices of those with the most expertise
– unhoused people – are silenced. The Right to Exist hands over the microphone and
demonstrates that we can solve homelessness, provided we are willing to listen. The
story of Camp Resolution is illuminating, inspiring, and most of all, powerful."
-Ron Hochbaum, Professor & Director, Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law   

"The Right to Exist is an intimate portrayal of how power struggles play out when people
take back their own power and create self-governing, self-sustaining communities.
Camp Resolution of Sacramento, CA was a beacon of hope, love, and authentic
community care for people experiencing homelessness - until the city retracted their
promises of housing and shamefully evicted folks. The film follows some of the bravest
women I’ve ever had the honor to meet as they navigated the unthinkable fracturing of
their lives. The women of Camp Resolution lived out and continue to live out one of their
most potent protest cries: “Nothing about us without us.” Director Nick Anderson
effortlessly takes us deep into the core of the housing crisis in one of the wealthiest
states in the nation while also humanizing the victims of our capitalist society in a way
that is truly humbling. -Angela Hassell, MSW, Executive Director @ Sacramento Loaves and Fishes"

"The Right to Exist is a powerful, deeply human documentary that exposes the realities
of housing injustice while centering the leadership and resilience of those most impacted. By weaving together lived experience, policy, and expert insight, it is as educational as it is inspiring." -Dr. Jacqueline Humphrey-Straub, School of Social Work Sac State

 

"“I loved the film! An effective balance of personal stories and analytical commentary that
centers the insights of Camp Res residents. This is a great tool for teaching in urban
studies, public policy, and across the social sciences.”
-Eric Plemons, PhD, Professor of Anthropology, University of Arizona , Author of
The Matter of Motherhood

      

            

Nick Anderson is an award-winning director and screenwriter and owner of Sacramento-based Bright Coast Productions. He has created commercials, music videos, short films, and documentaries. After completing film school at Chapman University, Nick was invited to help film The Last Crop, a documentary about family-owned farms and how they can transition land ownership to the next generation of young farmers. His previous short films include The Change, The Merger, and a 20-minute documentary, The Invisible Homeless, specifically focused on the unhoused experience of women and children. Most recently he completed a series of 12 short documentaries about climate impact on California farms. Nick brings his creativity and passion for storytelling to every project, big or small.