Czech filmmaker Pepa Lubojacki has drawn attention to the country’s ongoing struggles with addiction and homelessness through her acclaimed documentary, *If Pigeons Turned to Gold*. The poignant film, which she worked on over five years, chronicles the lives of her family members living on the streets of Prague and explores the complex interplay of addiction, trauma, and societal neglect.

Lubojacki, 39, initially set out to create a film about pigeons, observing the casual cruelty humans often show them despite the birds’ intelligence and beauty. This indifference mirrored the public’s attitude toward homeless people like her older brother and cousins, who experienced repeated rejection and mistreatment by social and medical services. Lubojacki’s cousin, for example, was denied hospital care multiple times despite severe wounds, ultimately resulting in the amputation of both legs.

Filmed mostly on an iPhone and blending innovative techniques such as AI-generated voiceovers and animated family photos, the documentary delves into intergenerational trauma, including domestic abuse and the deaths of Lubojacki’s biological father and stepfather. The narrative centers on her brother David, highlighted through intimate and often raw vignettes including moments of connection, like bonding over rap music, alongside harsh realities of addiction, withdrawal, and relapse.

The film situates these personal stories within the broader context of Czechia’s relationship with alcohol. The country, known for its world-renowned pilsner beer, has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption globally, partly due to traditionally low taxation on alcoholic beverages. Compounding the crisis, Prague faces a severe shortage of affordable housing, placing additional strain on vulnerable populations.

Lubojacki’s motivation for the film was partly fueled by frustration with systemic injustices. She recounts how her brother endured physical abuse at the hands of police and was frequently denied adequate healthcare because of his addiction history. Her goal was to challenge common misconceptions by presenting addiction as a complex issue beyond the stereotype of “weak will.”

The 110-minute documentary also features diary entries written by Lubojacki, some of which reflect poetic introspection born from her experiences with psychiatric hospitalization during production. She cites literary influences such as Ottessa Moshfegh and Melissa Broder in shaping the film’s emotive and observational style.

At its core, *If Pigeons Turned to Gold* wrestles with a profound question: can people grieve those still living but lost to addiction and homelessness? Studies indicate homeless individuals face significant reductions in life expectancy, sometimes by more than a decade. Lubojacki frames addiction as an epidemic that remains stigmatized and difficult to address openly.

Supporters of social housing and advocacy groups, including Barbora Bířová from the Platform for Social Housing, emphasize the importance of reframing homelessness as a situational issue rather than a reflection of personal failings, which could facilitate more effective responses.

Since its debut, the documentary has received widespread recognition. It won a documentary award at the Berlin Film Festival for its empathetic approach, garnered a lengthy standing ovation at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, and was selected as Czechia’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

Lubojacki has received numerous messages from viewers who shared similar family experiences, illustrating the film’s resonance beyond the Czech Republic. Throughout the film, she herself undergoes a transformation from frustration to understanding in her relationship with her brother. Her evolving perspective underscores the potential power of empathy to challenge stigma and inspire meaningful dialogue on addiction and homelessness.

“We have learned to avert our eyes,” Lubojacki reflects, “but if one breaks the silence, others will follow.”