A small-town community comes together to eradicate the heroin epidemic from its midst by whatever means necessary.
“Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid!” This is a quote from David Cronenberg’s 1986 science-fiction horror film “The Fly.” “Shooting Heroin” is a scary movie; but there are no vampires, no zombies, and no ghosts. But it’s much more terrifying – because it’s real and inspired by true events. And real life is much scarier than anything you could possibly make-up. Don’t believe me? Turn your television channel to the news.
“Shooting Heroin,” written and directed with great acuity by Spenser T. Folmar, opens with a quote attributed to Sophocles; “Despair often breeds disease.” Though based in LA, Folmar grew up in a small town in Central Pennsylvania. Returning home for Christmas in 2017, he was affronted by what he saw in his beloved community; an opioid epidemic that ravaged his hometown. Just like the main character in the film, Folmar decided to do something about the devastating effects of the drug culture. Instead of picking up a gun (or being deputized), he armed himself with something much more powerful – a camera.
The action takes place in Whispering Pines, a small, blue-collar town, much like where Folmar grew up. Adam (a beguiling Alan Powell), returns home to an endless stream of distressing stories affecting neighbors, friends, and families, including his own. He assembles a group of local citizens who have all been overtly touched by the opioid scourge. They decide to commit themselves to eradicating the blight that has befallen their community. Some twist and turns along the road keeps the action afloat.
Folmar assembled a terrific cast – many of which hail from New York City like Cathy Moriarty, (from my hometown, the Bronx) with her husky voice, was a perfect choice for the weary, bitter mom. Garry Pastore (“The Deuce”) hits all the right notes as Jerry, the embattled police officer. And it was good to see Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (remember Freddie ‘Boom Boom’ Washington from “Welcome Back, Kotter”?) all grownup as Edward. Only Nicholas Turturro seemed out of place as Reverend John. I’m just so used to seeing him as an officer of the law; a detective or sergeant – that I had trouble accepting him as a man of the cloth. Sherilyn Fenn (of “Twin Peaks” fame) shines as Hazel, a heartbroken mother who lost two sons and joins the crusade as a way of educating teenagers in the risks of drug use.
“Shooting Heroin” won Best Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Garry Pastore) at the Hell’s Kitchen Film Festival in New York City in October. More recently it was named the winner of the Award of Excellence/Feature Film at the IndieFEST Film Awards 2020. It’s not hard to see why. Whenever a small, indie film can instill a message of hope and voice a clarion call to action ~ well, that’s a winner in my book!
And please stay for the credits……Folmar cleverly integrates sobering statistics into a newscast. You might actually learn something. Or better yet, you might do something about it. And watching “Ozark” doesn’t count. You may be stuck at home, but this is one “illness” we can’t cure with social distancing. Be afraid, be very afraid!
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