TheWrap Screening Series NYC: Directors open up about short films now among 10 finalists for this year’s documentary short Oscar competition
“Heroin(e)” director Elaine McMillion Sheldon opened up on Wednesday evening about the deep and devastating impact the opioid epidemic is having to small American towns.
During a discussion at New York’s Landmark 57 West theater, Sheldon said the problems have long since escalated from addicts popping pills.
“It’s getting worse, it’s not heroin anymore. It was pills, it was heroin, now it’s Fentanyl, now it’s Carfentanyl — that’s elephant tranquilizer,” she said. “Four out of five heroin users started with a prescription, they started with a pill.”
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Sheldon, who spent 35 days documenting the opioid epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia, said that while she found no shortage of hopeful stories, the experience didn’t fill her with confidence.
“I didn’t see any great solutions or amazing work, I hate to say,” she said.
Sheldon was joined by fellow director, Derek Peck, who was also on hand to discuss his short “Ram Dass, Going Home.” The work looks at legendary psychedelic guru Ram Dass, now living out his old age in Hawaii.
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“He had been such an influential and seminal figure in the ’60s and ’70s,” Peck said. “I was very interested in exploring themes about life and being and death itself. He really embodied the full range in popular American life.”
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The two films are among the 10 finalists for this year’s documentary short Oscar competition and while together they could not be more different, they shared some core thematic similarities such as drugs and death.
The discussion with the two directors was led by TheWrap Managing Editor Thom Geier.
Lamar Odom and 13 Other Sports Stars Who Battled Addiction (Photos)
Michael Phelps The Olympic swimmer got DUIs in 2004 and again in 2014, resulting in a suspension from U. S/ Swimming. Kellogs also dropped Phelps as a spokesperson in 2009 when photos leaked of him apparently smoking marijuana from a bong. Getty Images
Darryl Strawberry The former Mets, Dodgers and Yankees slugger was suspended three times by the MLB for substance abuse, which resulted in a number of arrests and visits to rehab. Getty Images
Diego Maradona The Argentinian soccer legend battled cocaine addiction from the mid-80s to 2004. After being rushed to the hospital in 2000 with heart problems, he was treated for alcohol-related hepatitis. Getty Images
Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers outfielder started experimenting with drugs in 2001. He then got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, but relapsed in 2009,2012 and most recently, in Feb. 2015. Getty Images
Ricky Williams The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins player began taking marijuana to ease social anxiety disorder, prompting a surprise retirement from the NFL in 2004. He later returned but failed at least two subsequent drug tests after being reinstated. Getty Images
Lawrence Taylor New York Giants linebacker tested positive for cocaine in 1987. He quit shortly after but relapsed upon retirement. Getty Images
Donte Stallworth The Cleveland Browns wide receiver was charged with DUI manslaughter after he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his car in March 2009. Following a plea deal, he received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail and 8 years probation. Getty Images
Charles Barkley The NBA star turned TNT analyst was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008 for DUI after running a stop sign. According to the police report, Barkley was in a hurry to receive oral sex from his female passenger. He spent three days in jail and entered an alcohol treatment program. Getty Images
Michael Irvin In March 1996, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver was arrested on charges of cocaine possession when police found him lying on the floor covered in cocaine with multiple strippers. Irvin pled no contest to the charges and the NFL suspended him for five games. Getty Images
Nate Newton Nate Newton made six Pro Bowls in the NFL before being busted for marijuana, earning him two-and-a-half years in a federal prison. Getty Images
Todd Marinovich The quarterback was busted for cocaine at USC before being drafted by the NFL. While playing for the Oakland Raiders, he began taking LSD during games. After numerous NFL suspensions, he ended up at the Canadian Football League, where he started with heroin. At one point Marinovich severely cut his hand with a crack pipe during halftime. Getty Images
Len Bias Bias, an All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland, was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose at age 22. Getty Images
Dock Ellis Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ellis threw a no-hitter on June 12,1970, claiming to have done it under the influence of LSD. He also had a substance abuse problem, and acknowledged after his retirement that he never pitched without the use of drugs. Getty Images Previous Slide Next Slide
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After the former NBA player was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, TheWrap looks at other athletes whose careers were damaged by drink or drugs
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