A bit of Hollywood will come to campus on May 7 when the film Where God Left His Shoes is screened at Gates Concert Hall in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
The screening will kick off and celebrate DU’s involvement with Project Homeless Connect 6.
The film stars John Leguizamo and tells the story of Frank, Angela and their two children, who are evicted from their New York City apartment and move into a homeless shelter. After a few difficult months, good news comes their way on Christmas Eve: A nearby housing project has an apartment available immediately — however, Frank needs a job on the books in order to qualify.
While the rest of the city prepares for Christmas, Frank and his 10-year-old stepson, Justin, roam the cold streets of New York trying to find a job by day’s end.
Where God Left His Shoes won the 2007 Humanitas Prize for the best Sundance Feature Film “for its depiction of the challenge, heartache and joy of holding a family together against the odds.”
Vulcan Productions, the Schaden Family Foundation and America’s Road Home bring the film to campus through a gift to Denver’s Road Home, Mayor John Hickenlooper’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. The film will open in theaters this fall.
“Denver’s Road Home is fortunate to enjoy generous partnerships with community leaders, such as the Schaden Family Foundation, who are committed to donating resources and developing community awareness about the tragedy of homelessness,” says Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager for Denver’s Road Home.
“Where God Left His Shoes is a unique opportunity to reach the hundreds of faculty, staff and youth who will volunteer their time on May 9 at our sixth Project Homeless Connect and to help tell the story of homelessness in this country.”
Admission to the screening is free. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pair of new shower shoes or flip-flops to donate. The shoes will be distributed at Project Homeless Connect and to local shelters.