RECEPTION at 7:00          Purchase Tickets   

Hosted by the one and only, Mr. David Gary Martell. Celebrate the opening of the 4th annual REEL Recovery Film Festival and recovery symposium with a screening of the new documentary BILL W., reception at 7:00. Film at 8:30.                    IN PERSON: Co Director Dan Carracino

Tickets $20

LOCATION:

Bergamot Station Arts Center

2525 Michigan Ave. Bldg 1

Santa Monica, CA 90404

1:00 PM          ADVANCE  TICKETS $5      

Love Addict (2011)  An artumentary from Denmark. Have you ever been addicted to love? Through the personal stories of love addicts and the people around them, this documentary explores the nature of love addiction through the unique lens of a very talented filmmaker. Directed by Pernille Rose Gronkjaer. Starring Eliza Bichmann and Sarah Agor. 82 minutes    

IN PERSON: Rachel Resnick and Eliza Bichman

3:00 PM             ADVANCE TICKETS $5    

Lipstick and Liquor (2011)  On a cold day in December, 39 year old Julie Kroll stumbles away from a minor car accident, leaving behind her eight-year old daughter and an open container of alcohol. Darkness descends and she disappears. Where is she? A tantalizing mystery unfolds before your eyes. The documentary Lipstick & Liquor explores the lives of alcoholic women who have embraced sobriety and others not given the chance. Director Lori Butterfield. 76 minutes

IN PERSON: Director Lori Butterfield, Jodie Fisher, and Emily Sadler

5:00 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5    

My Name Was Bette: The Life & Death of an Alcoholic (American Premiere) (2012) This shocking yet tender documentary shimmers as it examines alcoholism in women tracing the development and progression of the disease in Bette VanderAkker- a nurse, wife, and mother who died of the illness in the fall of 2007. Directed by Sherri VanenAkker and Josh Hays. 60 minutes

7:00 PM         ADVANCE TICKETS $5         

Last Fast Ride (2011)  An astounding documentary about the infamous bay-area punk rock superstar, Marian Anderson. Marian survived an abusive childhood and struggled with mental illness and addiction throughout her life. Perhaps Last Fast Ride will help spread word about her talent and her challenges. She died all too young. This is her story. Directed by Lilly Scourtis Ayers. Narrated by Henry Rollins. Starring  Marian Anderson, Tim Armstrong and Ginger Coyote. 86 minutes

IN PERSON: Lilly Scourtis, Danielle Bernal, and invited guests

9:00 PM           ADVANCE TICKETS $5          

Let's Get Lost (1989)  We have to be grateful to iconic fashion photographer Bruce Weber, for giving us this perfect film about the timeless jazz singer and trumpeter, Chet Baker. In the 1950's, cool was the only way to fly, and Chet Baker was what James Dean always wanted to be. Unfortunately for some, using heroin was part of that scene.  We see the young handsome and beautiful Baker in California and Italy, where he appeared in at least one movie and at least one jail cell (for drug possession). And, we see the pre-maturely ravaged Baker, detached, indifferent, his face a ruin of heroin addiction. Directed by Bruce Weber. Starring Chet Baker, Carol Baker, and Vera Baker. 120 minutes

(Not Available on DVD)

1:00 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5   

(96 minutes) 

Pippa (2012) A documentary short about Pippa who tracked down her birthmother in Ireland and spent the following ten years coming to terms of shared aspects of their lives before her own rebirth as a sober a prolific artist. Directed by Beth Nelsen. 9 minutes

IN PERSON: Beth Nelsen & Pippa

Top of the World (2012) is an honest and thought-provoking film about a 12-step call that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Ela Thier. Starring Pete Bradbury, Neal Hemphill, & Nabil Vinas. Written by Neal Hemphill. Produced by Christine Ness and Neal Hemphill. 13 minutes.

Hi Lillian (2012)  A lonely, elderly woman enters into a symbiotic relationship with her beautiful but troubled neighbor, Claire, a downward spiraling alcoholic. 26 minutes Dir. Douglas Wood

IN PERSON: Director Douglass Wood and Cast

Club Soda (2006) A handsome young barfly dreams to become a successful actor but is threatened by poor decisions until a spiritual guide (James Gandolfini) steps in and sets his conscience in motion. Also starring Joe Mantegna, Lou Gossett Jr., and Michael Rispoli. Wrtten, Produced & Directed by: Paul Carafotes. 23 minutes                                              

IN PERSON: Paul Carafotes

3:30 PM     ADVANCE TICKETS $5  

(111 minutes)

Music Videos

Jim Carroll, uncredited

This Thing Called Addiction (2012) by Santa Monica Sam 

8.5 minutes

IN PERSON: Santa Monica Sam and friends

No Exceptions (2012) is a thirty minute documentary investigatng the recent spike of opioid drug use and overdose. It includes interviews from teens and young adults, their parents and friends, and trusted doctors and physicians from all around the state of New Mexico. Directed by Chris Schueler. 27 minutes

IN PERSON: Chris Schueler

Men in a Box (2012) follows legendary Harvard psychologist B.F. Skinner, experimenting with reward and punishment in his 'Skinner Box.' Except this box is quite a bit larger, and his subject quite human. Directed by Lowell Cauffiel. Starring  Daston Kalili, Angela Oakenfold, and Kurtwood Smith. 28 minutes

IN PERSON: Lowell Cauffiel and Kurtwood Smith

The Things I Cannot Change (2011)  The lives of a recently deceased drug addict's ex-lover and best friend unexpectedly collide in a universe of love and desire. Old grievances are aired and blame and anger threaten to obscure their grief as the two come to grips with losing the man they both loved. Directed by Chris Phillips. Starring Jason Boegh and Cory Schneider.  19 minutes

IN PERSON:  Stars Jason Boegh and Cory Schneider

Firewater (2012) is the story of a Native American alcoholic (Mickey Bersoza) in the fight of his life against the increasingly negative consequences of his disease.  Written, produced and directed by Mickey Bersoza. Original music written and recorded by the MIKIFRE ALL-STAR BAND. 18 minutes

IN PERSON: Mickey Bersoza

7:00 PM          ADVANCE TICKETS $5      

Behind the Orange Curtain (2012) delves into the staggering epidemic of teenage Rx drug abuse deaths in one of the most affluent counties in America. Who is to blame? Dr.s? Pharmaceutical Company's? Parents? Or Our Society? Young, privileged teenagers are dying of overdoses at record numbers in Orange County, California. This fearless documentary asks the hard questions and helps educate parents and kids.  Director: Brent Huff. Starring Aisha Armer, Jodi Barber, and Geoff Blaylock. 90 minutes

IN PERSON: Director Brent Huff and Executive Producers, Natalie Costa and Jamison Monroe

9:30 PM          ADVANCE TICKETS $5   

Bob and the Monster (2011) Six years in the making, this documentary follows outspoken indie-rock hero Bob Forrest, through his music and stage career, life-threatening struggle with addiction, and his transformation into one of the most influential and controversial celebrity drug counselors in the country. BOB AND THE MONSTER crafts contemporary footage, animation and compelling interviews with archival performances and personal videos from Bob's past to reveal the complex layers of this troubled, but hopeful soul. Testimony from his peers, including Courtney Love, Anthony Kiedis and Flea add texture and depth, as does Bob's music throughout. Directed by Keirdra Bahruth. Appearances by David Adelson, Steven Adler, and Eric Avery.  86 minutes

IN PERSON: Bob Forrest and Director Keirdra Bahruth

1:00 PM       ADVANCE TICKETS $5  

Boiler Maker (2008) is an edgy and humourous drama about two bank robbers who take an AA meeting hostage. As the sobering situation heats up the bank robbers realize they made a BIG MISTAKE! Directed by Paul T. Murray. Starring Arie Verveen, John Savage and Jack McGee. 93 minutes

IN PERSON: Director Paul T. Murray

3:00 PM         ADVANCE TICKETS $5    

66 Months (2011) Witness the extraordinarily destructive results of an untreated alcoholic in this brutally honest and astounding chronicle of two men in love. Fragile and abandoned, Nigel lived under the radar of England’s social services for 66 months. In a hostile environment, Nigel came to rely on Robbie, an alcoholic. Together they lived in poverty in the midst of the dreaming spires of Oxford. And so began their troubling, disturbing yet genuinely loving relationship. This is an unflinching portrait of mental illness, co-dependency, alcoholism, and obsessive love with a shot glass of hope. Director James Bluemel.  82 minutes

5:00  PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5          

Shut Your Dirty Little Mouth (2001) Conflict! Love! Alcohol! Hatred! Pathos! Alcohol! San Francisco, 1988: This TRUE STORY takes place in the roach-ridden Lower Haight, in a Pepto Bismal-pink dingbat apartment at 237 Steiner. Audio taped by the neighbors upstairs, these two grievously alcoholic middle-aged men fight and curse their nights away. Glenn Shadix's portrayal is the heartbeat of the film and gives the film much emotional depth. A cult classic rarely screened in theaters. Director Robert Taicher. Starring Gill Gayle, Glenn Shadix, and Robert Musgrave. Running Time: 75 minutes

 In MEMORY of our beloved friend GLENN SHADIX (1952-2010)

7:00 PM       ADVANCE TICKETS $5   

9:00 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5  

Requiem for a Dream (2000) follows four Coney Island individuals experiencing drug-induced utopias until their addictions become stronger and lives are shattered. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans. 102 minutes

1:00 PM            ADVANCE TICKETS $5         

Dr. Gabor Maté gives us clues as to who we are when we are not addicted. Filmed January 9th, 2012 in Vancouver, B.C. This is a very candid talk from North America's leading addition expert. Referred to by Amy Goodman of Pacifica radio and television as, "the philosopher/physician", Dr. Maté exhibits unwavering faith in the individual's ability to transcend labels and 'character defects'and become the hero in their own journey. 59 minutes

INVITED GUESTS: TBA

3:00 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5          

No Kidding, Me Too! (2009) Actor Joe Pantoliano steps behind the camera to direct this documentary exploring the devastating effects of mental illness, and the stigma that goes with it. In this film, JP attempts to shatter the stigma by speaking with researchers working towards a cure for such maladies as clinical depression and ADHD, and encouraging people affected by those disorders to speak out about their struggles and experiences. Directed by Joe Pantoliano. Starring Devon Gearhart and Joe Pantoliano.  75 minutes

4:30 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5          

The Meaning of Filo (2009.) Life and death in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. The story is about an alcoholic in the late stages of addiction. Based on a series of dreams, and scenes, each representing a facet of his inner self, Bob moves deeper into his interior world as he comes face to face with Filo - a shadowy figure whose dark presence represents the disease of alcoholism itself. Directed by Chris Langford. Starring Ken Ludden, Clare Larman, and William Ayers.  53 minutes

IN PERSON: Director Chris Langford

7:00 PM       ADVANCE TICKETS $5     

Unguarded (2011) is an ESPN film. Chris Herren was a "can't miss" basketball superstar with the Denver Nuggets and his beloved Boston Celtics, until drug addiction eventually destroyed his career and almost his life. With the support of his wife and family, Herren struggles to conquer his demons and reclaim his life. Directed by Jonathan Hock. Starring Chris Herren, Rick Pitino and Bill Reynolds.  77 minutes

INVITED GUESTS: TBA

1:00 PM        ADVANCE TICKETS $5  

The Weight Is Over (2010) is about Eric Edwards, a formerly successful, 365-pound comic actor (Sgt. Bilko, Blade, Candyman, and many more,) that has shed 210 pounds and not everyone in his life is pleased. "With an outstanding sense of comic rhythmn and imagery. Edwards mutates into his whacked-out, chain smoking agent, who doesn't want to lose her meal ticket." Directed by Greg Antonacci. 72 minutes 

3:00 PM          FREE SCREENING 

Pleasure Unwoven (2009) explores a journey that could well change your life! Despite extensive neuroscientific evidence, patients, their families, employers, and policy makers still have a hard time accepting that addiction is a disorder of the brain and not just the result of bad choices. Hosted by Kevin McCauley. 70 minutes

5:00 PM       ADVANCE TICKETS $5     

Note: This film is screening in place of Thank You For Smoking

Bill W. (2012) tells the story of William G. Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous with Dr. Bob Smith.  Bill W. was included in TIME Magazine's "100 Persons of the 20th Century." Interviews, recreations, and rare archival material reveal how Bill Wilson, a hopeless drunk near death from his alcoholism, found a way out of his own addiction and then forged a path for countless others to follow. Directed by Dan Carracino and Kevin Hanlon. Starring Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob, Lois WIlson, Blake Evans, Ebby Thatcher. 104 minutes

IN PERSON: Director, Kevin Hanlon

Q&A by Patrick Babcock of Foundation, Portland ME 

7:30 PM       ADVANCE TICKETS $5

Addiction Incorporated (2011) is based on a true story of Victor DeNoble, one of the most important and influential whistleblowers of all time. The young drug researcher is hired by a tobacco company and unexpectedly discovers the ingredients of addiction and fuels a national campaign to have it regulated. Directed by Charles Evans Jr. Starring Danny Abel, Phil Barnett and Herbert Barry III. 100 minutes