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NEW D.C. MAYOR INVITES HOMELESS TO SEE ‘HAPPYNESS’: Officials and viewers seen wiping away tears following free screening.
*New Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty invited about 100 of the city’s homeless to a theater Thursday for a screening of "The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Will Smith in the real-life story of a homeless man who cared for his young son while working his way toward becoming a millionaire.
The idea for the screening was brought to Fenty last month by longtime homeless advocate Arafa Speaks, 52. City officials hoped the audience would be uplifted and gain hope from Gardner’s story.
The crowd of mostly homeless adults and elderly people reacted with groans at some of the familiar challenges faced by Smith's character, Chris Gardner, and cheered for his triumphs.
When Gardner, who gets evicted along with his young son, is finally offered the stockbroker job he painfully strove for, the audience burst into applause and wiped away tears, reports AP. Two city officials even choked up as they spoke to the audience after the movie.
"Everybody here not only has a story, but they have gifts and skills," said Speaks.
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