Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County (HBO)

About Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County (HBO)

"Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County" is a thought-provoking HBO documentary released in 2010. The film explores the lives of several children living in poverty in the motels of Orange County, California. Living in surroundings plagued by drug use, crime and domestic violence, the kids are seen striving to live a normal life, trying to excel at school and dreaming for a better future.

Making / Production

The documentary was produced by HBO and directed by Alexandra Pelosi. Pelosi provides a deeply immersive insight into the lives of children growing up and combating homelessness. Offering viewers an intimate window into a world they're unlikely to witness, she aims to raise awareness about child poverty and homelessness in one of the wealthiest counties of the United States.

Actors

• As this is a documentary, it primarily showcases real-life individuals rather than professional actors. The kids and their families play themselves, showing the real, unfiltered struggles they face. Each child is a key character, portraying their individual experience with homelessness.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The majority of the kids featured in the documentary are children of immigrant parents, showcasing the intersectionality of poverty, immigrant status, and homelessness in Orange County.
• Orange County, despite being known for its affluence, has a high rate of child poverty. According to studies, around 12% of children in Orange County live under the poverty line.

Quotes

• “Our lives may be challenging, but we never lose hope.”
• “Living in a motel doesn't make us less human.”
• “There's more to us than where we live.”

Music, Soundtrack

• As a documentary, the film does not feature a traditional musical soundtrack. Rather, diegetic sounds of life in the motels and at school are integral parts of the film's soundscape. This real-life noise adds authenticity to the documentary.