When Michael Wallace turns on a light in his home he says B次元官网网址渢hank you.B次元官网网址� He says the same when he turns on a tap or flushes his toilet.

In his one-bedroom suite in Langford, his couch and bed occupy the living room and the bedroom houses guitars and his music studio. ItB次元官网网址檚 world away from living on the streets of Victoria.

After a series of unfortunate events, including a tragic car crash that nearly killed his son, the 56-year-old single-dad found himself homeless for five years starting in 2002. Metchosin filmmaker and University of Victoria student Shiraz Higgins, 22, has explored WallaceB次元官网网址檚 life of living rough in his documentary film So Close to Home.

In an honest and vulnerable tone, Wallace talks about his experiences and feelings of sorrow, hopelessness and gratitude as he revisits old haunts on the streets downtown Victoria or squatting in a home near Elk Lake.

In the documentary, Wallace breaks down in tears while revisiting locations where he slept or hung out. At his lowest point, he said all he needed was some one to talk to. B次元官网网址淵ou never know about someone unless you talk to them and truly take the time to listen,B次元官网网址� Wallace said.

B次元官网网址淭here are some scenes that are pretty heavy stuff, but the rest of the time filming was all laughs,B次元官网网址� Higgins said. B次元官网网址淗e would break down and then there would be laughs right after.

Throughout his life on the street, Wallace always had his guitar, a black Fender.

B次元官网网址淎 homeless person told me to get one with the lacquer because it (could withstand) the rain,B次元官网网址� Wallace said. B次元官网网址淲hen it rained I could loosen the strings and put my clothes inside.B次元官网网址�

He composed more than 300 guitar songs and his music is featured on the filmB次元官网网址檚 soundtrack.

Higgins met Wallace through the editor of the Street Newz publication in Victoria about four years ago. Wallace was eager to tell his story. Filming started in September 2009 and the shoot extends over two and a half years. They became close friends during the production.

HigginsB次元官网网址� friend Darrin DeStephanis helped with interviews and filming. B次元官网网址淒arrin and I were both affected by making the film,B次元官网网址� Higgins said. B次元官网网址淚t definitely makes me feel lucky to have avoided this type of hardship in my life.B次元官网网址�

The sincerity of Higgins and DeStephanis allowed him to open up in front of the camera,  Wallace said. B次元官网网址淚 have to thank Shiraz because this was like therapy to me.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢ichael has a positive outlook on life,B次元官网网址� Higgins added. B次元官网网址淧eople want to listen to him and be around him.B次元官网网址�

So Close to Home is the first film for Higgins and was shot on the bare bones budget of $2,500. He admits he didnB次元官网网址檛 really know much about filmmaking and learned to shoot, interview and edit as he went.

B次元官网网址淭his was a real learning process. I am overly ambitious,B次元官网网址� Higgins said. B次元官网网址淚 think MichaelB次元官网网址檚 story really characterizes the film and carries the film.B次元官网网址�

One month before filming began, Wallace found a place to live. His son Arthur bought a home in Langford with a settlement he had received from the car crash and welcomed his father to live in the basement suite.

These days Wallace is working as a carpenter, along with rebuilding a boat and doing odd handyman jobs. He is also working to establish an organic farm in Saanich.

Wallace has been in his home for nearly three years, and said he feels gratitude for everything he has. He acutely remembers what itB次元官网网址檚 like to not have anything.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes I just walk and say B次元官网网址榯hank you,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f it starts raining on me I say, B次元官网网址榯hank you for the rain.B次元官网网址�

To view the film, see or.