An award-winning documentary focusing on drug addiction and recovery in neighboring Brown County will make its debut in Columbus this month.
“The Addict’s Wake” will be shown free of charge at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Yes Cinema, 328 Jackson St.
Produced over a period of two years, the one hour and 45 minute documentary is described as a powerful story of hope and recovery for individuals in use, their families, and the community as a whole.
After it premiered Oct. 11 at the 30th annual Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, “The Addict’s Wake” received a standing ovation. In addition, a Brown County couple featured in the film – Michelle and Cory Joy – both received Distinguished Hoosier awards from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office.
When the Joys had lost their oldest son, Caleb, to a drug overdose in 2017, the couple tried to turn their grief into something positive to help others. They started the “Do Something” movement in Brown County with loved ones of those suffering from substance use disorder and those who are in recovery. The movement was created to bring those two groups together to find support and inspiration.
One of the film’s financial backers who was also honored had more than money invested in the film. Like the Joys, Donald Katz of Carmel also lost a son to an drug overdose and is hopeful the film will help others.
Shown every night of the festival, “The Addict’s Wake” came away with both the Indiana Spotlight Journey and the Audience’s Choice awards. Distinguished Hoosier awards were also presented to executive producer Lisa Hall, producer Amy Pauzek and director Michael Husain.
Eight days before the documentary was shown free of charge at the Brown County Playhouse, “The Addict’s Wake” was featured during the December 1st meeting of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners in Indianapolis. Sitting in the audience were Bartholomew County commissioners Larry Kleinhenz and Tony London.
“It really hits home – not only of the effects of addiction coinciding with mental health within the individual and the family, but also the cost of addiction to the entire community,” London said.
London advised that while “The Addict’s Wake” is an extremely powerful story, he also warned that it pulls no punches.
“It can be a hard film to watch at times,” London said. “It actually shows someone being administered Narcan and being brought back to life.”
After the showing, there will be a 45-minute discussion that will include some of the people who appear in the film, as well as others involved with the narcotics problem.
While the theatre has a 173-person capacity, only 100 people will be admitted to the film. Attendees will be asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
But if there is a strong demand to see the film from the community, the producers have agreed to allow additional screenings of the film at no additional charge, Kleinhenz said.
Abigail Youmans, a reporter with The Brown County Democrat, a sister publication of The Republic, contributed to this report.
