Leonardo DiCaprio’s new Hollywood movie sparks fury in Sacramento after homeless people and their tents were dragged out of shoot site during huge rainstorm with less than a day’s notice
Leonardo DiCaprio’s new film has sparked outrage in Sacramento after a city square was cleared of homeless people and their tents on a day’s notice.
The Oscar winner is pictured recording his new role for director Paul Thomas Anderson, a film temporarily titled BC Project.
Officials cleared half a dozen homeless tents at Cesar Chavez Plaza last Thursday so they could shoot. The recordings would not take place until Sunday.
“Attention to Leave” notices were posted on all tents in the park, located in the center of the city, with only 24 hours to move, although all homeless people were offered a place in their newly opened shelter.
Locals erupted in anger that the tents were moved at such short notice and during the state’s chaotic atmospheric river storms.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s new film has sparked outrage in Sacramento after a city square was cleared of homeless people and their tents on less than a day’s notice
Sacramento officials cleared a half-dozen homeless tents from Cesar Chavez Plaza last Thursday so they could shoot. The recordings would not take place until Sunday
“Attention to Leave” notices were posted on all tents in the park, located in the center of the city, with only 24 hours to move, although all homeless people were offered a place in their newly opened shelter
Sacramento Homeless Union President Crystal Sanchez blasted the city for its lack of preparation time and did so in the middle of a major storm.
“It is ridiculous in the midst of an atmospheric storm, against federal laws and protections, that unhoused people are being displaced and put in greater danger for Hollywood to roll images in Sacramento,” she said.
“The city permit should not have been issued without individuals being appropriately housed as the city is well aware of the homeless crisis in the area.”
Anij Baker, 61, who lives in one of the park tents after becoming homeless about four years ago, said he and his partner were not given a place in the shelter, according to the Sacramento bee.
‘It’s terrible. We can’t go anywhere. All our clothes and shoes are wet. We don’t have any food,” Baker said
The city has a waiting list of more than 1,200 for the 1,300 shelter beds, which are currently full. “We have to put everything in the cart,” Baker added. “It’s going to be tough.”
Sacramento, like many other California cities, is experiencing a homelessness crisis
Homelessness advocacy group Sacramento Steps Forward says there are 9,278 homeless people living in Sacramento County
A homeless encampment sits in the shade of a tree in Sacramento
Anij Baker, 61, who lives in one of the park tents after becoming homeless about four years ago, said he and his partner had not been given a place in the shelter
Sacramento Film head Jennifer West said she was excited that Anderson and DiCaprio’s film would work in their city.
“We are thrilled to see these creative projects come to life in Sacramento,” she wrote in a blog post.
“We appreciate your cooperation and support as we showcase the beauty and vitality of Sacramento through these cinematic efforts.” Filming will continue in the area until Tuesday.
In photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, DiCaprio, 49, looks unrecognizable in a disheveled costume consisting of a dirty bathrobe and jeans, along with large sunglasses and a gray beanie.
The actor – who was recently snubbed for an Oscar for Killers of the Flower Moon – was seen on set with Anderson in the Northern California city of Eureka in late January.
DiCaprio’s character appears to have fallen on hard times himself when he makes a call from a payphone and collapses to the ground, a defeated expression on his face.
Cameras focused on DiCaprio as he sat outside a supermarket and dramatically stretched his hand across the cement.
The film’s plot is currently being kept secret, but… Deadline recently reported that the film also stars Sean Penn and Regina Hall.
The film is set in contemporary times and was written by Anderson. Anderson also produces the film along with Sara Murphy and Adam Somner.
In addition to the three leads, Deadline reported that the film will feature a large cast. The budget for the film is reportedly close to $100 million. Variety reports.
DiCaprio’s character appears to have fallen on hard times himself when he makes a call from a payphone and collapses to the ground, a defeated expression on his face.
Sacramento’s Democratic district attorney filed a lawsuit against the Democratic-led capital in September over its failure to clean up homeless encampments.
The city has a waiting list of more than 1,200 for the 1,300 shelter beds, which are currently full
A homeless tent on the sidewalk in front of the Sacramento Credit Union Office
Shootings are planned to drive out the homeless as they continue in the area until Tuesday
Sacramento, like many other California cities, is experiencing a homelessness crisis The district attorney filed a lawsuit against the Democratic-led capitol in September for failing to clean it up homeless encampments.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development found that California is responsible for half of the nation’s homeless population.
Homelessness advocacy group Sacramento Steps Forward says there are 9,278 homeless people living in Sacramento County.
About three-quarters of the county’s homeless population is unsheltered, and the majority of that group lives on the streets of Sacramento.
In 2022, California’s capital saw a greater increase in the number of homeless people than San Francisco.
Crime data from the California Department of Justice shows that 8,894 violent crimes occurred in Sacramento County in 2022.