FRI.

OCTOBER 16

Friday, October 16

1:00pm — Bill W.

(2012) Bill W. 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. Directors Dan Carracino and Kevin Hanlon. Starring Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob, Lois Wilson, Ebby Thatcher. 104 Minutes IN PERSON: Director Kevin Hanlon

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Friday, October 16

3:00pm — Royal Hangover

(2014) UNITED KINGDOM A Relevant portrait of a nation and its love of the drink. Critically acclaimed independent filmmaker and accomplished non-drinker, Arthur Cauty, serves up a documentary fireball, in equal parts shocking, hilarious, sympathetic and thought provoking; a film we can all toast to. Featuring Russell Brand. Director Arthur Cauty. 101 minutes

Friday, October 16

5:00 – 6:30pm — Sponsor/Filmmaker Opening Reception

El Cantinero Restaurant

Sponsor/Filmmaker Reception at El Cantinero Restaurant
86 University Pl., New York, NY 10003 — b/t 12th St & 11th St. Around the corner from the Cinema Village.
Patio dinning and authentic Mexican fare.

Friday, October 16

7:00pm — How I Got Over

HOW I GOT OVER follows 15 formerly homeless and/or incarcerated women- now living in N Street Village, a community for addiction recovery- as they craft an original play, based on their harrowing true-life stories. As observers of their creative process to the rehearsals for their Kennedy Center performance, we bear witness to their transformations from victim to artist, and to the performing arts’ capacity to heal trauma, create connection, and start a conversation. Special Screening for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Director Nicole Boxer. 87 minutes

Friday, October 16

9:30pm — Oxy-Morons

(2010) An action-packed thriller centering on the effects of OxyContin addition in a close-knit Boston community. Director Johnny Hickey brings his seedy, economically depressed neighborhood to life and how drug dealing can become a necessary defense against emotional annihilation. “People who walk out from Oxy-Morons will be talking about it long after they have seen it. A must-see movie for all of America.” – Prescription Addiction Radio.
IN PERSON: Director Johnny Hickey

All screenings $10 at the door

SAT.

OCTOBER 17

1:00 PM

SHORTS ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON

TICKETS for all shorts $10 at the door

Saturday, October 17

Reaching Out

(2015) This documentary takes a close look at the desperate phone call an addict makes for help. It’s the first step. Those on the receiving end of that call will do anything to be of service and try to hang on to the hand that reaches out to them. Director Matt Heckathorn. 34 Minutes
IN PERSON: Matt Heckathorn and guests

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Saturday, October 17

Voices

(2014) The award-winning documentary, Voices, features the stark and intimate portraits of three very different individuals and their struggle with severe mental illness in America. The stories of Sharon, Thomas and Aaron illuminate the challenges, realities, and complex emotions and choices that surround people with psychotic mental illness and those who love them. Director Hiroshi Hara and Gary Tsai. 56 minutes  

Saturday, October 17

3:30pm — SLLiP

(2015) Based on true events, SLLiP is a heartfelt yet disturbing look into the life of a hard-working, blue collar, family man, who is injured at work and is prescribed pain medication. What should have been benign pain treatment has become a painful addiction-one that could destroy what he cherishes most – his beautiful wife and his treasured baby girl. Original score. Director Rob Lewis. 13 minutes
IN PERSON: Ricky Russert

Saturday, October 17

An American Epidemic

(2015) From the Director of, “Kids Are Dying” comes a documentary film that took one state’s problem to a national level. “An American Epidemic” grew out of a New Jersey project exposing the opioid and heroin epidemic and uncovers the far-reaching effects of America’s most serious public social health crisis through the eyes of parents, siblings and recovering addicts. Director Michael DeLeon. 90 minutes IN PERSON: Michael DeLeon

5:30 PM

SHORTS ON A SATURDAY EVENING

TICKETS for all short $10 at the door

Saturday, October 17

Take Care

(2014) In this dramatic short, a young girl comes of age sooner than she should as she watches her mother cope with her tough life by drinking. Director Danielle Dunnigan. 10 minutes

Saturday, October 17

Good Words

(2014) This short and poignant film traces the story of Elizabeth, a gifted and highly qualified candidate attending a job interview. All appears to be going well until the conversation turns towards the subject of mental illness. Director Robby Reis. 10 minutes

Saturday, October 17

Redemption 101

(2014) Thalia abuses drugs and has resorted to prostitution to support her habit she began as a teen. Thalia enters a sober house for women to seek help to get clean. She’s in a women’s sober house and has four days clean when reality strikes she is faced with losing custody of her infant daughter. Director Sebastian Rothwyn. 40 minutes       IN PERSON: Sebastian Rothwyn and Valerie Campbell

Saturday, October 17

7:00pm — Straight Outta Tompkins

(2015) A forlorn teenager abandoned in New York City spirals out of control. He transforms from a troubled kid to an accidental addict after mistaking the welcoming embrace of a Lower East Side drug dealer for the love of family. Offering a humorous take on the absurdity of the junky lifestyle, STRAIGHT OUTTA TOMPKINS also presents a fearlessly honest portrayal of the violence and danger that come with teen drug use. Director Zephyr Benson. 92 minutes

Saturday, October 17

9:00pm — Amy

(2015) From BAFTA Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (Senna), AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archival footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on our culture and the world we live in today. Director Asif Kapadia. 128 minutes

All screenings $10 at the door

SUN.

OCTOBER 18

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Sunday, October 18

1:00pm — Come Back Jeetu

(2015) Filmed in India, Director Jaswant Singh Mintu made this exotic film in dedication of those innocent girls, daughters, sisters, and mothers who are being “compelled to walk on the razor’s edge and burning flames of drug addiction through no fault of their own. Director Jaswant Singh Mintu. 147 minutes

Sunday, October 18

4:00pm — Deal With It

(2015) Shamira Raphaëla lives a seemingly successful life as a documentary film director. But her reality is that her father and brother, who are both in and out of jail. Her dad Pempy, has used heroine and crack for more than thirty years, and has a long criminal record. Her brother Andy, is following in his fathers’ footsteps. A extraordinarily raw and personal film about destructive family patterns and unconditional love. This film seems to prove addiction is not a disease.  Director Shamira Raphaela. 58 minutes
In Dutch with English Subtitles

Sunday, October 18

4:00pm — Reset

(2015) Rylee, a mixed-race teen descends into drug addiction while struggling with her difficult childhood. After entering treatment at a rehab facility, working through issues of identity both physical and emotional, Rylee learns recovery is a life-long process that holds no guarantees. Exploring the effects of addiction on family, Maya, Rylee’s South Asian mother, struggles to understand Rylee’s disease while coping with her own family history of substance abuse. Director Arun Vir. 30 Minutes    IN PERSON: Arun Vir

Sunday, October 18

6:30pm — Girl on the Edge

(2014) A powerful, true story about the journey of a troubled teenage girl who finds healing in the most unlikely of places, and who must choose to either invest in her own recovery or succumb to the trauma of her past. Starring Taylor Spreitler, Gil Bellows, Peter Coyote and Mackenzie Phillips.   Director Jay Silverman. 105 Minutes
IN PERSON: Jay Silverman

Sunday, October 18

9:00pm — Big Sur

LIVE IN PERSON Critically Acclaimed Author and Poet, ALAN KAUFMAN

Alan Kaufman has performed with Allen Ginsberg, read with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, published with Charles Bukowski, known Jan Kerouac—Jack’s daughter—chummed around with Harold Norse and hung out with Neal Cassady’s son, John. David Mamet has called his novel Matches “an extraordinary. novel,” and Dave Eggers has written that “there is more passion here then you see in twenty other books combined.” Kaufman’s critically-acclaimed memoir, Jew Boy (Fromm/Farrar,Strauss, Giroux), published by legendary Grove Press founders Barney Rosset and Fred Jordan and called ‘Life-changing’ by Hubert Selby Jr., has appeared in three editions, hardcover and paperback, in the United States and Great Britain. His recovery memoir Drunken Angel which appeared in 2011 in hardcover and paperbarck was cited by The Fix’s reporter Regina Walker as one of the four best Recovery memoirs in America. He is currently enjoying a residency as a 2015-2016 New York Public Library Affiliated Scholar in the Frederick Allen Room of the Steven A. Schwartzman Main Branch 42nd Street Library.

(2013) Sudden fame and a self-destructive lifestyle were taking a toll on Jack Kerouac following the unparalleled success of his groundbreaking novel, On The Road. Once a hero of the Beat Generation, Kerouac now sees only a vestige of his former self, ravaged by alcohol and drugs. Kerouac leaves New York for California, on a quest for redemption in Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s isolated Big Sur cabin. What ensues in those fateful three weeks in August, 1960, is both terrifying and revelatory. Director Michael Polish. 81 Minutes

All screenings $10 at the door

MON.

OCTOBER 19

Monday, October 19

1:00pm — The Other Side of Cannabis:
Negative Effects of Marijuana On Our Youth

(2015) We warn our youth about alcohol and both prescription and illegal drugs, yet, our youth believe marijuana is safe and natural with no health risks. This documentary tells the stories of individuals of all ages, as well as interviews with top researchers across the United States who elaborate on the effects of marijuana facing our adolescents, teenagers and young adults, all with still-developing brains. Director Jody Belsher. 72 minutes               IN PERSON: Jody Belsher

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Monday, October 19

3:00pm — The Art of Recovery

(2015) Manny and Vic are two artists in recovery; together they prepare for and art exhibit entitled Lake Worth It in their home town of Lake Worth, Florida. They reflect on the impact of art in their recovery and speak on the use art therapy in recovery while detailing the ups and downs of addiction and finding a way out. Director Richard Jackson with Manny Mendez and Vic James. 98 minutes. IN PERSON: Manny Mendez and guests

Monday, October 19

5:30pm — Patient’s Rites

(2014) Director, producer actor Issa Ibrahim spent 18 years at an asylum but this did not curtail his creativity. Ibrahim uses the arts as a healing and transformative tool for those who have suffered addiction as well as for their families and friends. Patient’s Rites is an autobiographical musical documentary about the mental health community which conquers the familiar stereotypes and prejudicial stigma that comes along with it. Director Issa Ibrahim. 49 minutes IN PERSON: Issa Ibrahim

Monday, October 19

5:30pm — Lapse

(2012) A broken man goes through a single day of his life, reliving the dark turns that brought him to his substance riddled present. A dark, jarring opening quickly descends into a long dark night of the soul for one man who must face his demons and if he can, return to the light.   Director Anthony Salerno. 30 minutes IN PERSON: Anthony Salerno

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Monday, October 19

7:30pm — AS I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM

(2015) AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DJ AM covers the late, great mash-up pioneer’s entire life from seed to sorrow: his meteoric rise to become the first million dollar DJ in the U.S., his storied personal life including a long-running struggle with addiction, titanic efforts to help others in recovery, his tabloid romances as well as his survival from a fiery plane crash with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, which is all a lead-up to his controversial and untimely death in 2009. Director Kevin Kerslake. 97 minutes

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Monday, October 19

9:30pm — Bob and the Monster

(2011) This documentary follows outspoken indie-rock hero Bob Forrest through his life-threatening struggle with addiction, to his transformation into one of the most influential and well known drug counselors in the country. Interviews with his peers, including Courtney Love, Anthony Kiedes and Flea add texture and depth, as does Bob’s music throughout. Director Keirdra Bahruth. 90 minutes.  

All screenings $10 at the door

TUES.

OCTOBER 20

1:00 PM

 AFTERNOON SHORTS

TICKETS for all shorts $10 at the door

Tuesday, October 20

Higher Power

Music video. Director Mark Rossella. 4 minutes

Tuesday, October 20

Susan Whingham

Susan Whingham is a student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco studying Motion Picture and Television directing. Her films have appeared in over a dozen film festivals in the U.S. and internationally. The REEL Recovery Film Festival is proud to showcase four of her shorts that embrace the destruction of addiction and the hope and light of recovery: Cling, The Danger in Happiness, Her Undying, Self in Silence and Solitude. Director Susan Whigham. 25 minutes IN PERSON: Susan Whingham

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Tuesday, October 20

Grace

(2015) Janice will face her high powered ex-husband in family court for the custody of their daughter. Staying clean is her priority but her unaccommodating boss stands in the way of Janice trying to do right. She has to face her demons of addiction and the possibility of losing custody of her daughter. Starring Marisa Vitali. Director Chris Ordal.  15 minutes IN PERSON: Marisa Vitali

Tuesday, October 20

Released

(2014) This first-time filmmaker’s documentary short exposes dark familial secrets, a broken mental health system and the triumph of the human will over tragedy, trauma and self harm. Released casts an unflinching eye and lands a stinging blow against abusive authoritarians, stigma and insensitivity. Director Susan Spangenberg. 28 minutes IN PERSON: Susan Spangenberg

Tuesday, October 20

3:00pm — The Struggle

(1931) This classic unwavering and non-judgmental view of addiction shows how employers, family members and society dealt with a man and his alcoholism before it was recognized as a disease. Director D.W. Griffith. 87 minutes

Tuesday, October 20

5:00pm — SPECIAL LIVE EVENT
Author Susan Cheever in person

BUY TICKETS

Award winning writer and author of “My Name Is Bill: His Life and the Creation of Alcoholics Anonymous”, Susan Cheever will be reading from her new, groundbreaking work, Drinking In America: Our Secret History. Ms. Cheever will be sitting down with journalist and publisher, Maer Roshan, founder RadarOnline.com and thefix.com for a “spiritus contra spiritum” conversation.
FOR TICKETS CALLS: 310-767-6970

Tuesday, October 20

7:00pm — Lambert & Stamp

(2014) Aspiring filmmakers Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert set out to find a subject for their underground movie, one that will reflect the way it feels to be young and dissatisfied in postwar London. The duo finally discover a band called the High Numbers with that perfect rebellious restlessness. Abandoning their plans to make a film, they instead decide to mentor and manage this group, later called, The Who. The result was rock ‘n’ roll history. Director James D. Cooper. 117 minutes             IN PERSON: Calixte Stamp and Dr. Tian Dayton

WED.

OCTOBER 21

1:00 PM

AFTERNOON SHORTS

Tickets for all shorts $10 at the door

Wednesday, October 21

Warning: Take Only As Directed

(2014) Based on a true story, with contemporary music and realistic situations, the film explores the societal pressures on today’s teens: grades, college, boredom, pill popping and relationships.  Writer/Executive Producer Trish Glowacki. 27 minutes
IN PERSON: Trish Glowacki

Wednesday, October 21

Heroine

(2014) On December 17, 1914, The Harrison Anti-Narcotics Tax Act was passed. The language in it was unclear and quickly came to be interpreted as forbidding doctors to prescribe to addicted patients. This film follows a fictionalized account of what happened to doctors who continued to prescribe drugs to their at-risk patients. Director Emily McMartin. 10 minutes  IN PERSON:  Emily McMartin

Wednesday, October 21

Time’s Up

(2012) A film by Lance Juracka about two generations of a family dealing with alcohol addiction. The film was made when Lance was a film student at NYU and 12 years later he died from alcohol addiction. Nancy Juracka, Lance’s mother, wants to use to film to help other families that are struggling with this dreaded disease. Director Lance Juracka. 17 minutes

Wednesday, October 21

12 Promises

(2014) “How am I going to have friends who don’t use drugs? How is that going to work?” 12 Promises is a powerful film in which teens talk the truth to other teens about how AFTER they reclaimed their lives, they stay sober and develop friendships and start enjoying life. Director Fritz Kiersch. 26 minutes

Wednesday, October 21

ABSTINENCE and/or/vs. HARM REDUCTION — LIVE EVENT!

ALL STAR PANEL led by Howard Josepher, CEO from Exponents, NYC
Panelists include:

Maia Szalavitz, Author & Journalist
Todd Whitmer, Caron Treatment Centers
Cindy Feinberg, Interventionist

Donald Powell, Exponents, Dir. of Policy
Lureen McNeil, OASAS (pending)
No Extra Admission.

Wednesday, October 21

5:30pm —EVENING SHORTS

Maybe Me

(2014) Bobby wakes up from a dream in Washington Square Park in New York City, haunted by the loss of his friends and heroes, and encounters his own near death and challenges of survival. Maybe Me is an experimental short film inspired by friends and heroes who have died tragically way too young. Director Rabinovitz. 13 minutes
IN PERSON: Robert Rabinovitz

Wednesday, October 21

Veterans Affairs

(2013) Known best for his viral, controversial documentaries made while serving as a Marine during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In Veterans Affairs, Kenneth Anderson pours his own experiences into this short that sees a veteran struggling when he returns to the States.  Director Kenneth Anderson.  14 minutes
IN PERSON: Special invited guests

Wednesday, October 21

Conversation with a Cigarette

(2014) A cat-and-mouse game ensues between a man and his greatest enemy, an addiction that has a stranglehold on the man. Can he break free? Director Russell Brown. 18 minutes

Wednesday, October 21

Recovery

(2013) Recovery follows a retired boxer with a troubled past as he considers whether to train a young, ambitious Mixed Martial Arts fighter who comes armed with a message to the old boxer. Director Robert Waters. 8 minutes

Wednesday, October 21

Methe

(2015) After what should have been an ordinary night out with his wife, a man struggles to keep his life on track despite his wife’s denial of anything that is wrong with their lives.  Director Ron Trejo. 16 minutes

                                                                                                                                                                                        Wednesday, October 21

The 12th Step

(2015) A man searching for “something” enters an AA meeting. Watch what happens next. Director Josh Auter.  8 minutes

Wednesday, October 21

Exit Road

(2013) Recovery follows a retired boxer with a troubled past as he considers whether to train a young, ambitious Mixed Martial Arts fighter who comes armed with a message to the old boxer. Director Robert Waters. 8 minutes IN PERSON: Yuri Alves

Wednesday, October 21

Sweet Dreams

(2013) IRELAND Based on the one-woman hit play, this true story portrays a day in the life of Paula Richards who works as a prostitute in order to feed her drug addiction. She battles between the love for her daughter and the harsh reality of her tragic circumstances. Starring Suzanne Lakes; Director: Rachel Sian O’Connor. 29 minutes TRIGGER WARNING – Graphic scenes of drug use.

All screenings $10 at the door

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LIVE EVENT                                             Wednesday, October 21

8:00pm — LIVE EVENT 

Pat Dixon’s Comedy Intervention

BUY TICKETS

Pat Dixon‘s Comedy Intervention, ”One laugh at a time,” benefits the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation. Pat Dixon hosts an evening of comedy and mirth. Come laugh your face off with some of the hottest men in New York’s hysterical comedy scene.

Hosted by Pat Dixon
The Lineup thus far includes:
• Christian Finnegan
• Chris Laker
• Dustin Chafin
• Gilbert Lawand
• Jamie Roberts

Look them up on YouTube, and put Oct. 21, 8:00pm in your calendar. Don’t miss it! These fucking guys will blow you r,  mind.
Tickets: $15.00 at the door, also on Brown Paper Tickets

THURS.

OCTOBER 22

Thursday, October 22

1:00pm — BREAKTHROUGH: Art, Analysis & the Liberation of the creative Spirit

(2011) This documentary captures the intimate experiences of eight artists who, through creation and psychoanalytic treatment, face their pain. They had found themselves restrained in both life and work due to unresolved issues but through therapy and creative work they were liberated. Director Judith A. Rubin. 90 minutes

Thursday, October 22

2:45pm — Trip the Movie (Guatemala)

(2011) Trip is an astounding award winning film that grew out of the blazing theatrical production of, “Delirium Tremens” by actor, playwright, director, screenwriter and film producer, Fran Lepe, An exhilarating portrait of addiction, denial and redemption that’s also very funny. Director Fran Lepe. 80 minutes IN SPANISH Subtitled

Thursday, October 22

4:30pm — Without a Home

(2012) Growing up in Los Angeles, a city whose homeless population exceeds 90,000, filmmaker Rachel Fleischer always felt a deep connection to the homeless. Her desire to understand that connection takes the twenty-three year old Fleischer on an extraordinary four-year journey into the lives of six homeless individuals and families as they struggle to find homes, get clean, and survive. Director Rachel Fleischer. 74 Minutes

Thursday, October 22

6:15pm — Under the Volcano

(1984)  Based on the extaordinary, groundbreaking novel (1947) by Malcolm Lowry. Geoffrey Firmin is a British consul living in alcoholic disrepair and obscurity in a small southern Mexican town in 1939. The Consul’s self-destructive behavior is a source of perplexity and sadness to his nomadic, idealistic half-brother, Hugh, and his ex-wife, Yvonne. Starring Albert Finney and Jacqueline Bisset. Director John Huston.  112 minutes

Thursday, October 22

8:30pm — Bill W. (Free Screening)

(2012) Bill W. 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. Directors Dan Carracino and Kevin Hanlon. Starring Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob, Lois Wilson, Ebby Thatcher. 104 Minutes

All screenings $10 at the door

Schedule Subject to Change