Directed by Sue Thomson
Narrated by Margot Robbie

Homelessness is often seen as a problem that impacts men, but the reality is, women over 50 are the fastest group of people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Generally hidden from public view, sleeping out of sight, women represent the hidden face of homelessness. A face this film sets out to spotlight.

Under Cover explores the post pandemic landscape, the aftermath of Covid lockdowns and the impacts they have had on people’s financial resilience.

Even pre pandemic, women were facing additional challenges to their financial security. From lower wages, unpaid domestic labour, time spent out of the workforce and the correlating lack of superannuation. These are significant and unique contributing factors to the reality that there are nearly half a million women over fifty either homeless or at risk of homelessness in Australia right now.

Through the eyes of different women, we see these struggles manifest in story. Some women had it all and lost it. Some women had little and found themselves trapped in abusive homes, financially dependent on spouses. Some women found themselves impacted by housing shortages largely caused by the movement of city folk to regional areas during the great covid migrations.

These different stories drive home a grim reality. This could happen to any of us.

It’s important to remember that homelessness is not a ‘poor person’s problem’ it’s an ‘everyone’s problem’. At any point, any one of us could find ourselves on the brink of homelessness. We have a duty as a society to provide support and assistance to the most vulnerable and we hope that none of us ever need to access the services we create.

This documentary could not be more important or timely.

Under Cover is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from October 6th.

Moviedoc thanks The Backlot Films and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Jemma for Moviedoc

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