Tent City, U.S.A.

Steven Cantor's powerful documentary looks at the trials and tribulations of a Tennessee tent city community and its inhabitants in 2010. Settled beneath a Nashville river bridge, the makeshift neighborhood—managed by a pair of church pastors—is an officially sanctioned place of reasonable safety and comfort for a number of homeless people…until disaster strikes in the form of devastating floods. The community tries many times but ultimately fails to obtain permission for moving to a new spot in Nashville, so everyone is transferred 15 miles away into rural woods (on private land) in the town of Antioch, where they are harshly rejected by residents and forced to live almost like wild animals. The narrative takes a sharp, suspenseful turn when a seemingly feckless Nashville city government commission on homelessness opens up a seat for a new member with actual firsthand experience. Four of the individuals Cantor has been filming for months decide to campaign for the position—turning friends into rivals but also creating an atmosphere of subdued hope. Tent City, U.S.A. is an engrossing film with an air of gritty authenticity that turns a handful of individuals all too easily ignored on the street into human beings we care about. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)