CIVIL INDIGENT – Short Film Review

Who is Francis “Pat” Fitzpatrick? The answer will surely differ greatly, depending on who you ask, but one thing everyone will agree upon is that he’s persistent and passionate. These two character traits are what create the controversy surrounding Pat, an aging man who has spent a significant chunk of his life fighting for the rights of the homeless residents of Gainesville, Florida.

“Why can’t number 131 be fed?” You’ll hear it repeatedly throughout CIVIL INDIGENT, a 55-minute short documentary collaboration from filmmakers Nicholas Corrao, David Hafter and Peter Salomone. The number 131 is significant, because that is the first person each and every day that must be turned away from a free meal at the St. Francis House.

You may ask why this is, which is what Pat does repeatedly, pointing out the absurdity of the ordinance put in place by the Gainesville City Commission. If there is food to be served, and hungry mouths in need of it, why limit the daily distribution of this food to what amounts to a completely random and meaningless number? The battle between Pat and the City Commission goes on, and on, and on, each of them trying to tire the other one into submission, but the heart of CIVIL INDIGENT is not in the outcome of this pursuit, but of the pursuit, and more importantly, the pursuer himself.

In good critical taste, I will refrain from revealing how CIVIL INDIGENT ends. Like any other film, there is still a narrative to good documentary filmmaking and, for the especially accomplished films, there is even suspense. Ever since the dawn of the first ostracized homeless man, the subject has been one of awkward, uncomfortable debate. Those who have usually are not interested in bothering themselves with those who have not, especially when those who have not are perceived as being lazy criminals who are burdens on civilized society.

CIVIL INDIGENT attempts to remain objective on this subject, but Pat is such a lively and sincere character, fighting so diligently, that the audience may have a hard time not siding with him. To be honest, I personally find it difficult to agree with the opposing viewpoints in the film, as minimal and inhumane as they are, but credit must be given to the filmmakers for allowing these voices to be heard. Amongst their concerns are the typical, yet understandable concerns that the homeless residents are potentially dangerous, are unruly and filthy, and are “eyesores” in the community. The problem with this sort of argument is that its an unfair generalization. Is this to suggest only homeless people fit this description?

Pat is a kind of more down-to-Earth, less fame-hungry version of Michael Moore. He is not interested in the spotlight, except as a means to further his cause. On several occasions, Pat has run for office, with no realistic expectations of winning, but as one more avenue for getting his message out to the masses. By the end of CIVIL INDIGENT, I was left feeling both uplifted that someone cares enough to go through what Pat endures, but also exhausted, having experienced just a taste of Pat’s endless efforts.

For more information on CIVIL INDIGENT, visit the website here.