Crazywater, a powerful new doc on addiction, streams FREE online Nov. 16th-25th, 2014

Filmmaker Dennis Allen (pictured above, right, with one of his doc subjects, Stephen) knows first-hand about the stigma  surrounding alcoholism and other substance abuse problems in First Nations communities. So he set out to break the silence.

Allen’s powerful new documentary Crazywater follows four people who courageously and frankly discuss their addictions and their paths to sobriety. Allen himself is a recovering alcoholic, and this first-person element is woven into the doc to create a unique and highly personal tale about the power of the human spirit to overcome unimaginable trauma and adversity.

This truly remarkable film is a must-see. To coincide with the film’s 10-city Northern Canada tour (details below), we’re streaming the film on NFB.ca free of charge until Nov. 25th, 2014. Watch it now:

Crazywater, Dennis Allen, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Storytelling from the heart

Allen’s unique perspective as an Inuvialuit man who himself battled alcoholism throughout his life is powerful in this film. It’s not often that a filmmaker will put himself in front of the camera in a manner as honest and vulnerable as Allen’s. What do you think of this highly personal approach to documentary filmmaking? What effects does it create in viewers?

For Paula and Desirae, two of the people interviewed by Allen in his film (both mothers with a history of addiction), family becomes the key to breaking the cycle of abuse.

While family relationship torn apart by addiction are not easily mended, Paula and Desirae show that no matter how bad things got, and no matter how strong a betrayal feels, it’s never too late to embark on the path to forgiveness and recovery. It’s a hard and long path, but it’s one these women know is worth traveling.

Crazywater launches 10-city northern tour

Crazywater received very positive reactions when it premiered at the Available Light Film Festival in Whitehorse. So, we decided to send the film (and filmmaker Dennis Allen) on a 10-city tour of northern communities so people could see the film on a big screen and discuss issues, stories, and experiences with Allen himself.

The tour coincides with National Addictions Awareness Week.

Here are the screening dates:

Nov. 16 – Yellowknife
Nov. 17 – Norman Wells
Nov. 18 – Fort Good Hope
Nov. 20 – Inuvik
Nov. 20 – Ft. McPherson (*filmmaker Dennis Allen will not be present at this screening)
Nov. 22 – Hay River
Nov. 23 – Fort Smith
Nov. 24 – Fort Providence
Nov. 25 – Fort Simpson

Feel free to share the film widely in your networks; we hope that as many people as possible will have a chance to experience this powerful, profound, and inspiring documentary.