Our Stories Can Heal: Interview With The Streets Barber
Nasir Sobhani, known to most as The Streets Barber, has spent years walking the streets of Melbourne offering free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness. But his work has always been about more than grooming — it’s about dignity, connection, and the power of being seen.
We sat down with Nasir to talk about storytelling, vulnerability, and why sharing our stories matters.
On the power of a haircut
“When you sit in a chair and someone takes care of you, it’s a moment of trust. For a lot of the people I work with, that’s rare. That moment — someone touching your hair, looking you in the eye — it’s human connection at its most basic. And it opens people up.”
On storytelling and documentary
“Documentary gave us a way to share these stories with people who might never have those conversations themselves. When you watch someone’s story unfold on screen, you can’t look away. You feel something. That’s what film does — it removes the distance between people.”
On vulnerability
“I used to think being vulnerable was a weakness. But the people I meet on the street — they teach me the opposite every day. The bravest thing you can do is tell your story honestly. When someone shares their pain, their struggle, their hope — it gives other people permission to do the same.”
On working with Round 3
“The Round 3 crew understood from day one that this wasn’t about making something flashy. It was about respect. They took the time to build real relationships with the people in the films, and you can see that in the footage. It feels real because it is real.”
On why stories heal
“Our stories can heal — that’s not just a nice idea, it’s something I’ve seen happen. When someone watches one of these films and reaches out to help, or when a subject sees their own story and feels proud of who they are — that’s healing. That’s the whole point.”
The Streets Barber web series, produced by Round 3 Films, went on to win Best Editing at the Toronto Web Fest and has been viewed millions of times across social media. More importantly, it changed the way people in Melbourne think about homelessness — one story at a time.
Bryce McCoy is co-director at Round 3 Films, a Melbourne-based video production company specialising in documentary storytelling for social impact, brands, and broadcast.