Peek through the cracks of one of the richest societies in the world and you will find the homeless.

Up to 240 people live rough on the streets in Bermuda, most of whom are invisible to our everyday hustle and bustle.

Now however, a Government MP and former Minister is bringing the problem into sharp focus in a no holds barred documentary.

Dale Butler's 'Out Among the Ins' will be premiered at the Liberty Theatre this weekend, with the producer present at the screening. The 70-minute film details the gritty realities of surviving on the streets but also offers glimpses of hope, love and humanity.

Mr. Butler, former Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, said: "The people I met were very kind-hearted and open, and I never heard a bad word.

"Ninety-seven percent accepted their position, although some resented the fact they couldn't find a house and so couldn't qualify for Financial Assistance."

'Out Among the Ins' sums up the plight of those living on the outside of Bermudian society.

"You are on the outside among all these people on the inside, those people who have a car, a house and a job, who can travel and go places," said Mr. Butler.

He said he became inspired to film the documentary after reading the late Nelson Bascome's report on the homeless, in January last year.

Although the report was penned six years previously, by Marva O'Brien, Mr. Butler said various Government initiatives had stalled. "The report had just sat there and died a slow death, so I started meeting with the Salvation Army, church groups and individuals to review the various programmes," he said.

Among his recommendations was a new homeless shelter on the site of the Salvation Army building on North Street.

"I told Government we really needed to build a new shelter, as this is overdue by 20 years. The Ministry of Works and Engineering jumped on board and (Minister) Derrick Burgess got us some local architects and also some from Canada.

"The Ministry was also determined to get things done, and prior to the economic downturn it looked like we would get the $14 million we needed.

"In the end we only got $1 million, but this will help the groundwork such as the architectural work."

Among the characters he met while filming his documentary, Mr. Butler recorded the story of Dudley Butterfield and Pat Crockwell, a homeless couple.

"For three weeks I would leave the house at four or five a.m. to capture them coming out of the trees and getting ready for the day ahead," he said.

"Sometimes I put wireless microphones and the camera on them and then disappeared. I would review the footage later and the stuff which would come out was incredible."

Mr. Butler spent much of his time at "the Foot of the Lane", near the Johnny Barnes statue at Crow Lane. He also visited various wooded areas around the Island where the homeless live and accompanied the Salvation Army on their soup kitchen runs.

Although he was assisted in his project by video and film production company, Panatel VDS Ltd., he contributed $8,000 of his own money to cover the editing costs of the documentary.

Mr. Butler is now hopeful the film will raise the community's awareness of the plight of homeless people. "So far tickets are selling very well," he said. "I hope to also show the documentary in churches and schools. This is my effort to keep the issue at the forefront, even though I'm no longer the Minister."

The film's patrons are Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Neletha Butterfield and the late Mr. Bascome's wife, Shirlene.

Mr. Butler remains confident Government is committed to building the new homeless shelter, and says a temporary tax or duty on residents could finance the costs.

"I think we can find the money, even if we have to have an extra tax," he said. "Both the Premier and the Finance Minister's heart, mind and will is definitely there."

He would also like to see the creation of a Homeless Council, to coordinate fund-raising, public relations, preventive measures and other issues.

"I am sure the new Minister is looking at that right now," he said. "We live in paradise but have these problems which need to be resolved."

'Out Among the Ins' isto be screened at the Liberty Theatre on Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are available from the theatre priced $20.