Deschutes Public Library

It Was a Wonderful Life

eng

videorecording

It Was a Wonderful Life

Originally produced by Teachers Documentary Project in 1993

82

Jodie Foster narrates this chronicle of six former upper-middle class women who had it all, lost it all, and became the hidden homeless. You won't see them on street corners, hands held out for change. At first glance you would not even realize that they are women without homes. They are clean, educated, well-groomed and articulate. IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE follows their struggle to survive, one day at a time, and find a place for themselves in a society ill-equipped to deal with the used-to-haves. Left in financial straits following a divorce, loss of a job or a long illness, they live out of their cars, with their clothes, dogs, and whatever remains of their former lives packed in the back seat. Few receive welfare or any other form of assistance. They eke out an existence picking up bits of work here and there. The women avoid public shelters where they might be raped or robbed, preferring to sleep in cars, or find temporary shelter with friends. With strength, humor and pride, these women manage to survive

live action