BUM: 7 Days on the Streets of Melbourne [FULL DOCUMENTARY HD]

What happens when a young Australian from a middle class upbringing leaves the comfort of his home to live on the streets for one whole week? With absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back and a camera to capture the journey, filmmaker Callum Padgham did just that; sleeping rough for seven days on the streets of Melbourne, Australia.
Guerrilla filmmaking techniques and a raw personal perspective allow the audience to experience first-hand the steep decline of a charismatic and entirely relatable individual, spiralling into a world of apathy, depression and self-loathing. The final ten minutes result in a gripping and heartfelt climax, which epitomises Callum’s profound life lesson. What Callum gains, the audience takes with them in this genuine, unpredictable and important account on humanity’s lowest low.
/ djbekindtootherpeople
/ callumpadghamunofficial
CREATED BY
Callum Padgham & Tavis Urquhart
WITH HELP FROM
Patrick Neff
Jordan Dautovic
Patrick Jovaras
ANIMATION
Simon Cottee
LOGO DESIGN
Michael Ryzhikh
ORIGINAL MUSIC
Samuel P K Smith
Dave D'Amico
‘NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN’
Written by FRENZAL RHOMB
‘PENNY ON THE TRAIN TRACK’
Written by BEN KWELLER
Performed by BEN KWELLER
THANK YOU
The Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.au
DONATE: 13 72 58
St Vincent De Paul
www.vinnies.org.au
DONATE: 13 18 12
The Big Issue
www.thebigissue.org.au
Jason
& Elizabeth Street Sanity
Nigel Odell
& Swinburne University
of Technology
Chris, JC, Damian, Brad, Chris, Max
& everyone else in Melbourne who threw me a bone
© Copyright Callum Padgham and Tavis Urquhart 2016

[@candypullen2415]

I was very proud of Callum. Australia needs more kids like this who cares for everyone and everything

[@marklenon2335]

Good on you mate! Great video.

[@dupeyou2474]

Will be recommending this to SBS viceland for on air showing. Complete transparency equals a hard earned thumbs up. Well done, & we shall wait for what you deliver next. Let's keep watching.

[@CallumPadgham]

Flattered to have witnessed your gradual appreciation! Thank you!

[@jasondelves8758]

@@CallumPadgham Man that was a great doco mate, you really good at this stuff! Thanks for sharing and letting people know what it's like. I'm homeless and everything you covered is dead set legit, I enjoyed watching! Thanks!

[@thecommodoresmissingfuelca1603]

Thank you callum, i have always just given the homeless not much attention, sure a dollar here and there but this is truly eye opening. even just a convocation can light up their whole day, I'm truly blessed even though i am living pay check to pay check struggling, i have so much more than i need and you helped me to realise that, thank you a million my friend

[@AnjelinaSaint]

This entire documentary was incredible from start to finish - thanks for sharing your raw and true experience. Really loved how you were able to help the mate out with the rooftop space as well. Great work Cal!

[@danieltucker5028]

Great Documentary Mate, i could relate to a lot of the things you went through when you did your 7 days. Struggling to find that much needed rest and the lack of support with homeless shelters and also the church. It really opens your eyes up to the system we live in. You really have some top qualities mate, thanks again.

[@CallumPadgham]

My sincere thanks and appreciation, Daniel. Very glad you've come through the other end of it mate. Yes, not nearly enough societal support for those of us most vulnerable.

[@bobgnarly5989]

I spent a few months being homeless in melbourne and i think that you captured the essence of it remarkably. I've never known another feeling so hollow with nowhere to turn to and just feeling every bit of your self worth just disintegrate within days. Great job man, all concessions aside this doco is fucken real. PS i was also busking frenzal songs and i know what it feels like to be ginger.

[@CallumPadgham]

Kindred spirits ❤️ Hope you're doing okay

[@PricillaMac1]

Thank you Callum Padgham. This brought back memories of me sleeping rough in Adelaide. I was pregnant at the time and it was the homeless Indigenous who showed me how to survive and then showed me where all of the emergency places were located and where I could have a regular shower and use a community centre address for Centre-link and have 3 meals a day.. but yep it was freezing and hard.. the ground has no favorites that's for sure.

[@Tanyushinki]

Thankyou Callum.

[@CallumPadgham]

Thank YOU, Tanyshinki :) Means a lot

[@davidwaihi9769]

Just randomly come across this but what a great video, you were very honest in your opinions and views. Good job mate 👌🏽👍🏽

[@3musketeersmum]

I found this by accident. Brill doco. I will say though it's much more difficult for a female out on the streets & hella scary. I was living in a tent for 7 weeks,in winter,in England. Pregnant & alone. Am I thankful I am past that horrible chapter of my life & am so grateful for the roof over my head.

[@CallumPadgham]

BonkerzBillie 85 glad you’re doing better now, thanks for sharing your story 😊

[@randomnetfiend]

I found this by accident, glad I did! Been clean 20 years, but I was on the streets for a month or so in the mid 90's, the SALVOS literally SAVED MY LIFE. They helped me in every way and planted seeds of hope which helped me want to be clean and to have a better life. If everyone either gave their time, used goods, money/food or shopped at a salvos store our homeless (and they are ours) would be helped daily and those who wanted a new start could get one. Xallum did really well coping for a week, it gets harder every night to keep going. Great doco!

[@CallumPadgham]

Thank you Miss T and I am so glad to hear that you are clean, safe and sound!

[@MeglintonWYL]

This is so great. Thanks for bringing this to life x

[@daiduongdaviddinh140]

Thanks mate, you are brave. I learned a lot from your video. Keep up with your works. Good luck!

[@michaelquelch1023]

Good work, I enjoyed this. Feeling grateful

[@CallumPadgham]

MQ Visuals good result. Gratitude is everything.

[@danieldalton2690]

Seriously where is that all you can eat for $7:90!

[@PhilipMeddows]

This is a fantastic film my friend. I've always had the idea to do it myself. I'm so glad someone did.

[@rajivtiwari007]

Great job ! Appreciate all your efforts to make this film. Very well done buddy :)

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks Rajiv! That means a lot :)

[@ShaneTLong]

Thanks. For pointing out our basic needs..

[@mrfrontbottom6877]

That bought back some memories, i was doing that in Melbourne 4o years ago, i was 15. Hardest thing was to dodge the sharpies and skinheads.

[@alexoh9671]

Hope you're doing alright mate

[@kevinknight9368]

Glad to come across this great documentary mate and I can say that soccer program u attended works I am from bris and I made life long friends when I was homeless In the street soccer

[@neilmcnab2106]

Awesome job Callum, very brave mate. I just became a regular donor to the Salvation Army after watching your doco 👍

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks very much Neil, this is wonderful!

[@jamiemiddleton3539]

your a legend bro much love from the uk.

[@jsuban4346]

Best thing about this was him returning the blanket!

[@IwasBlueb4]

Thank you for helping Max....Good on you ! What a kind, warm hearted security guy, who advised you to sleep in one of the disabled toilets....Maybe he had a son of your age and really felt for you when u said u were cold , Callum

[@ginag4786]

this was a story that I can say I feel bad when I see someone homeless but I always help and give what I can and most of all say hello because their people too.

[@jamiiiepilton1530]

I also found this by accident and was literally glued to the screen for an hour! Good job guys this was awesome 😊

[@CallumPadgham]

JaMiIiE PiLtOn cheers!! Hope you found some appropriate substance to remove the glue that’s light on your skin 😘

[@jamiiiepilton1530]

@@CallumPadgham lol u did indeed 😙

[@alexcarter8807]

You know, folks, yeah he seems a bit mawkish, but when you lose everything it really does a number on you. After the crash of 08 I actually had a friend a state over I could go to, so that was great, I had a place I could go, even if it was out in the middle of nowhere. But being in the middle of nowhere, there were neat toys like tractors and a big gasoline-engined forklift, and my friend offered to show me how to drive it, and I was like, "No, I'm afraid I'll just break it". It just defeats you. It was only years later, back in California and getting a tiny bit of work being a "picker", finding things at garage sales to sell to antique stores, that the ladies in there were talking about how hard it is to find American made wooden toys and things like that, and I said, "Wait, those? I can make those." and they looked at me all surprised, and I said, "Yeah, I can make things". And I was thinking internally, I lost my business and my car and my apartment but I didn't lose my mind. And it was the guy I work for now, who knew me before, who fed me a little work, and a little more work, and well, now I work for him. I don't make a lot, electronics just doesn't pay any more, but it's work and not stupid work; I get to think and work out ways to do things and build stuff.

[@simonhawker9277]

i was homeless for five years it was very hard i don't fear much now after that experience

[@alexcarter8807]

Those are crap signs mate. You've got to shoplift a marking pen and make them really easy to read; a sign's got to grab attention and ballpoint lettering just doesn't cut it.

[@wanyeeast9230]

I didn't know Ed Sheeran was Australian.

[@ariiellagarde]

Starts singing frenzal rhomb! Fucking Legend

[@jackyblue67same10]

Good video enjoyed watching God Bless all those less fortunate the u & I that do have a roof over our heads & food in the fridge!

[@jerriblank6610]

I liked your documentary Callum. I have one small favor to ask- please don’t litter! Thanks for caring about the issue of homelessness. That was a pretty brave experiment to pull off.

[@draztec5009]

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks Draz, so appreciative you watched it through!

[@brisvegas859]

I really enjoyed this - well done - I'm from Brisbane and spent 2 summers in Melbourne living in an apartment on Finders lane opposite the city library - I wasn't homeless but homelessness was everywhere in Melbourne. I love Melbourne, except the cold winters :)

[@arohagerrard1606]

Watching now, haha good on you.looks like its really bad for the homeless 😥

[@millionaireguy100]

Really interesting doc, really eye opening on the lives of those living on the streets. Keep doin' what you're doing, you seem like a great guy with great ideas. Can't wait to see this reach more people. :) Awesome job!

[@CallumPadgham]

Many thanks Vorticity Productions! it's important to note that this isn't necessarily an insight into the lives of those living on the streets - merely a look at my own week on the streets which was entirely circumstantial. In itself though, this just goes to show the true hardship that people genuinely in these tough situations go through.

[@Mrsran87]

WoW...awesome documentary and a big eye~opener to what the homeless have to do to just survive day to day!! Mad respect that you stayed for the entire week...I truely don't think I could have done it!! You have such a kind heart to give up the little bit of comfort and protection that you had to Max. Thank you so much for sharing this video!!

[@speksone]

Legend has it, he is still waiting for his keys to his house!

[@CallumPadgham]

Seriously though mate can you come home and let me in already?

[@casscumerford5886]

great video----you did good------football grandstands good places to sleep-----and get a list of charity joints---

[@dupeyou2474]

Your eyes have changed greatly at 30:46 minutes. Something raw & primal has awoken inside of you. Lets keep watching.

[@tranmanj]

Interesting documentary mate

[@jeremycbarnhart2305]

How hasn't this got thousands of hits?

[@dupeyou2474]

Ah depression begins at 14:25 seconds , wait until your aroma grows in strength. Lets keep watching.

[@caramello7460]

Haha 20:58 Frank Walker from National Tiles in the background... What an Aussie legend...

[@chillplaylist4017]

Wel done mate you funny bugger

[@ryanmkyle]

Great job!

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks so much Ryan!

[@notbubble3626]

I really like this documentary. I've seen a previous version of something like this done in Canada and the guy was just a douche and a stupid one at that but you, kept it lighthearted, informative and realistic. Too many times homeless people are looked at as just that 'homeless' we forget the have personalities, a sense of humor, quirks and talents.

[@dupeyou2474]

" What if you don't have a resume? "

[@EnforcedWarwick]

"Crazy Johns mobile phone 📱 store," it must definitely have been a few years ago now. Definitely, it is certainly now a plain Vodafone Store now. Very good filming and acting, absolutely! Take care.

[@leewyat7109]

Good doco man, sell it to netflix..

[@ethansalthouse8660]

Wow, that's a really awesome video and an amazing effort, too! It's pretty amazing how many places *didn't* help out, and it puts waiting for Centrelink on the phone into a lot more perspective, it's not just a minor annoyance for some extra cash but a pretty big hindrance in your life!

[@CallumPadgham]

Absolutely, glad that it had that affect on you Ethan!

[@dupeyou2474]

Completing the loop of the blanket & returning from where you found it.

[@caramello7460]

Where he found it or stole it?

[@MrDefiance000]

well done callum! its time the forgotten became the highlight and lots of attention is put on them so homelessness seizes to exist. there is no EXCUSE for it! The system we live under is extremely corrupt sadly!

[@No11Sugimura]

Saw this on Documentary storm. I love documentaries and this is one of the most heartfelt iv seen, it's a rare talent to be able to give your audience and emotional connection with the story your trying to tell and it was told very well.

[@debraleesparks]

I'm subscribing because I am really interested in what you are doing.. You did a remarkable job.. I can't wait to see what you do next !!!

[@dupeyou2474]

The busking permit has swayed me, lets keep watching.

[@EnforcedWarwick]

I actually like this documentary, very good simply because it actually deals to the raw realities of what it is like to live rough (but when one ends up living in that situation they end up having to develop "street skills). When did you Film This because I keep seeing the Three Mobile Phone Store. It is great that documentaries like this are being filmed because it talks about the harshness of real life. Good luck with your film studies take care. Just like watching, that movie 🎥 about the Canadian Chinese writer: Evelyn Lau who actually wrote the book: Runaway a Diary of a Street kid, take care, the Korean Canadian actress Sandra Oh starred in the television 📺 movie.The Diary of Evelyn Lau. Heat acting skills as well, hopefully you can message back. Good luck with everything! Take care.

[@CallumPadgham]

Glad you enjoyed this James, thanks for watching! We filmed this in 2009, good observation re; Three Mobile! 😂

[@dupeyou2474]

At 35:25 minutes you ascertain the pattern.

[@markaddison5333]

Hard case mate you should have a TV show bit of humourhaha

[@stiltz86]

hey.... lyfe in the big city

[@bjoe74fm]

What I find sad about this upload is that my generation of Australia, from the early 70's, we all had jobs, I was in construction, earning back then a grand a week, homelessness was almost unheard of, mental hospitals existed, in keeping with people who needed the support, 40 years later, we have a demographic number of homeless, less fortunate Australians, wtf has happened to the lucky country, when did it become Ausmerica, the land that lost it virginity to America, I feel for my motherland Australia

[@jacquelinemckenzie9981]

Whilst this is a good little glimpse into a life of a homeless person, you could have made an effort to actually associate with some other homeless people out there and understood a bit more about how it is they got to where they are. All you really did was feel sorry for yourself for a week, knowing you had somewhere to go to when the week ended. The real homeless community do not have this to look forward to.

[@stinkky.x253]

I had to sleep with the magazine over my face because it got cold... Hahaha that made me laugh, when I was rough sleeping in Canterbury UK it was -8

[@3musketeersmum]

I lived in a tent for 8 weeks in November till Jan & it was horrific. Even sleeping in a coat I was freezing. I also have no hair so my head was beyond cold. Hated it. Esp a female & on my own!

[@nickford8229]

I have been homeless a few times worst part is hygene finding a place to shower and shave you still get a payment of centerlink if you really want to get off the street only takes a 2~4weeks most areas have food vans and charity support if you won't help yourself dont ask for help do some fundraising for a little extra money for food .

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks for sharing Nick, glad you’re back on your feet now

[@nickford8229]

Callum Padgham lifes a struggle if you have addiction weather it be drugs or gambling sort that out or the streets you stay and trust me i seen alot of people go down that road i even hear of some going missing or worse you live you learn take action lifes hard so what deal with it the best we can .

[@danozism]

God bless the Salvos eh? Good doco mate

[@lynettekomidar]

.. those on the street tend to have other issues, stress related PTSD etc. and no way out

[@CallumPadgham]

Thanks for highlighting this Lynette; you're absolutely right. I couldn't possibly compare my experience to the hardships that people genuinely living on the street must go through, however I do reiterate a number of times throughout the film that I was void of the aforementioned issues (PTSD / addiction / mental illness etc) and yet still managed to have the most difficult week of my life. Hopefully this gives viewers some perspective about how tough it must be in real life.

[@dupeyou2474]

Up comes the excess MSG at 19:05 minutes. Lets keep watching.

[@JackMarshallEatsFood]

I freaking love this, I freaking love you.

[@sturdychinfilms]

Jesus. Australia is paradise. If you are sleeping on a vacant rooftop and your only concern about taking your shoes off is "my feet might get cold," you are golden! Wish the stakes were this low in the states!

[@keahnbruzzi8423]

Yeah we have it really good here in comparison. I was homeless last year and although it was hard, it was easy to find shelter, food and people who are willing to help

[@sturdychinfilms]

That's fantastic. At least I know there are places where people at least try to keep their fellow man above water.

[@tedlanz5038]

Where is this Grand Garden restaurant with the Eat All You Can buffet?

[@kangabangaz334]

Nice watch but abit dirty pinching the doona... I guess though - Improvise Overcome Adapt

[@CallumPadgham]

In retrospect I feel it was easily the most careless part of my week and I do regret it, but as you say, my juvenile mentality was that of self-preservation as I wanted to fully immerse myself into the survival mindset. Thanks for watching!

[@barnzybarnzy3342]

It's 2020, is there an update about how you feel after your 2016 experience.

[@Retrofire18]

Hopefully people will find a way out

[@terriehaylock9058]

I'm annoyed. When he's eating the groceries from salvos, he just piffs his rubbish, tin lid off can, plastic lid off drink, probably the rest of his rubbish too, I know it's derelict where he's sleeping but jeez don't add to it and have no respect. This wasn't a real homeless experience with his safety nets to return to. He should have spoken with the real homeless, hear what they have to say.

[@terriehaylock9058]

AND it was disgusting that he stole the doona straight away from another destitute COLD person, could NOT believe that!!

[@angelavalentyne7948]

Yep totally agree

[@sezfields]

Amazing documentary! As a melbournian this was extremely eye-opening... love it.

[@lloydcopper3756]

That was very interesting Callum. For all those knocking him, at least he had a go. I am unfortunately about to become homeless because of debts and a problem with alcohol. So I'm not really looking forward to it. But yeah. THanks for the doco

[@3musketeersmum]

I hope that you overcame your problems and are doing ok.

[@dupeyou2474]

All the take away food takes a toll, it becomes harder to pass & does not contain proper nutrition.

[@dupeyou2474]

You never replied if you were fit for manual labouring after the first day or two. Maybe you could go undercover in the government job agencies that centrelink provide you with? The disability agency they linked me with, simply said " do not tell would be employers about your injury. "

[@ironmage6105]

mate your good...great funny bits....also seriously deep. iwas a homeless heroin addict for 12 years....18-30....and your right its proper shit. 10/10

[@chinaplateproductions1829]

Nice work. Love the line about the Crown casino being the angels of the earth. Good on the Salvo's for being the most helpful. Don't bother with the Catholics! Beast out of the Sea.

[@stiltz86]

what do you think about the clothes of people in melbourne?

[@greatfulbeyondbelief5956]

Go on the trains after dark. Thats what i used to do when i was homeless. They are warm. They are comfortable. Go to salvos or st vinnies and ask for clothing and food. Go to woolies and buy some reduced food.

[@debraleesparks]

Boy !! I bet your momma was glad to see you !!!!

[@jimmybell9571]

gods children are awsome!

[@KatBuckleyXOX]

XOX

[@robertventura6346]

Callum were was the pool at ?

[@Reachforitify]

This is a complicated issue, what concerns me is the middle class people who have commented below are only a 4 to 5% interest rate rise from being in this position. At a point in time in the future our super will be gone due to super companies failing to look after our investments. Being a part of a community means you assist with the community’s wellbeing what we are being fed is that the less fortunate are taking it from you. A lot of labour positions in this country have been wage corroded by small businesses gouging the worker. You only have to look at some of the owners of businesses who have purchased homes, cars and lifestyles that over extended their cash flow. This was many years ago limited by borrowing power but the banks have opened the flood gates over extending to these businesses putting pressure on them to be more selfish than they would have been in the past. A number of people have properties 2+ that they have borrowed on interest only loans that are being rented for outrageous amounts. They in the process have forced up rents and have added no value to our country. The day will come that we hit 17% to 22% interest rates they shall force rents up no one will rent them and they shall be feeding on the same food as the renters at the car park. Wealth creation is indeed an important part of any society and always has pushed funds down the line but now we appear to want to demonise those who earn less than us because they take something from us. This selfish delusion only decreases your ability to create wealth. The more money in the cycle gives you more money. Also to think if Ian have full dental cover via Medicare to get his teeth fixed he would be back on his feet. Thanks to our current politics we are fcked thinking that investing in community services is a negative thing. Australia needs to think!

[@D-Rizzle653]

Walks around with shit in his pants asking for work yeah I don’t like your chances there mate ..I was homeless for about a year and I would shower in a block of showers at a soccer field and sleep in a disabled toilet if I could ..was better in the colder nights

[@dupeyou2474]

Luckily you were not assaulted, we know you could hold your own & had nothing of monetary value to take ( except for your youthful organs ), but at least you touched on the subject of violence with Max.

[@jamesredmond4038]

All u can eat for 7.90 I lived in Melbourne and did not see that place I would have eating there all day....plus I went homeless in Melbourne thank God I got out of it in the end from friends and got a job hi from 🇨🇮😎

[@dannowatimdoin]

you were not homeless you just had a horrible camping trip...

[@444slowitdown]

i wanted too see architecture grrr

[@adotholland22]

better to trythis inn bangkok 1 week

[@bradmicic6920]

I hope Max is OK. Have you ever ran into him again?

[@stevesteve2274]

Serious mental problems, trying to get arrested like that. Jumping into a street cleaner..

[@canefrogfury]

What happened to max ?.

[@michaellambert4713]

That's good, you can take my money.

[@bassbinhauler552]

How does this only have 127 views?

[@CallumPadgham]

127 more than it did yesterday!

[@unspecifiedd]

I believe "someone" posted on Reddit and it helped it a bit.. I found the effort great and watched it in it's whole which is unique for me... great job

[@CallumPadgham]

Oh that someone was me, just to clarify ;)

[@debraleesparks]

+Callum Padgham I'm an American, and I noticed your video n Documentary Storm.. You did a good job, but you should have had something for protection.. You never know when you need it.. Oh, if you wanted to get arrested, you should have slapped one of the officers !!! Hahahah THAT would have worked, for sure !!!! Hahahahah

[@iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii4222]

It's. bad, that's why.