InhuMAINE documentary returns to Aroostook County

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - A documentary about homelessness in Bangor is returning to Aroostook County after a coalition of community nonprofits and municipalities organized two free public viewings at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle.

The film, InhuMAINE, follows people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Bangor and documents the realities they face daily. The library is partnering with Homeless Services of Aroostook, AMHC, ACAP and the City of Presque Isle’s outreach program for the screenings.

Library reaches out to filmmaker

Library Director Elyse Kiehn said the effort began after the documentary was first shown at the University of Maine at Presque Isle earlier this year.

“So we had originally heard about the documentary after it had been screened at the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” Kiehn said. “I reached out to the documentarian Rogan O’Donnell to see if he would be willing to host a second screening.”

Outreach workers say film hits close to home

For local outreach workers, the film’s content is familiar. Kari Bradstreet, executive director of Homeless Services of Aroostook, said she recognized people in the documentary.

“This documentary is real and raw,” Bradstreet said. “It includes individuals who are experiencing street homelessness in the Bangor area. There’s people that I’ve recognized that have come through our shelter before.”

Lori-ann Chandler, an outreach coordinator in Presque Isle, said the film had a personal impact.

“It really touched my heart because I was like, oh my God, I work with this person,” Chandler said.

Partners hope film opens community dialogue

Julia Macek, adult and recovery services program director at AMHC, said organizers hope the screenings prompt broader awareness of homelessness in the county.

“The hope is that it will open people’s eyes and be able to understand that, you know, we can’t pretend it’s not there because it is,” Macek said. “Homelessness is all throughout our county.”

Kiehn said the library is a fitting venue for the conversation.

“Libraries are one of the remaining truly free public spaces that people are able to go to during the day,” Kiehn said. “And we feel that it’s quite important to keep that as open and accessible as possible to all members of the community.”

Screening details

The screenings are free and open to the public. The first is Friday at 5:30 p.m. and the second is Saturday at 10 a.m., both at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle. Organizers are collecting non-perishable food donations at the door for people living unsheltered in the county.