When Langford resident 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, a couch and bed occupy the living room while 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 the documentary film So Close to Home.

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

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. At his lowest point, Wallace said all he needed was to talk to someone.

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.

Higgins met Wallace through the editor of the Street Newz publication in Victoria about four years ago. Wallace was eager to tell his story.

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 (in tears) and then there would be laughs right after.

Filming started in September 2009, and extended over two and a half years. 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 Wallace to open up in front of the camera,  he 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�

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

Wallace has found work as a carpenter, as well as rebuilding a boat and doing odd handyman jobs. He is also working to establish an organic farm in Saanich.

B次元官网网址淢ichael has a positive outlook on life,B次元官网网址� Higgins noted. 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�

To view the film go to Soclosetohome.ca.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� So Close to Home is the first film for Shiraz Higgins and was shot on a 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� View the film at Soclosetohome.ca.