The Stairs 2016
Distributed by Grasshopper Films, 12 East 32nd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Produced by Hugh Gibson
Directed by Hugh Gibson
DVD, color, 95 min.
General Adult
Drug Addiction, Drug Abuse, Rehabilitation, Social Problems
Date Entered: 05/15/2018
Reviewed by Sandy Costanza D’Youville College, Buffalo, NYSet in metropolitan Toronto, Canada this is a realistic film about a life of drug use told by former addicts. Marty, the primary narrator has been a lifelong drug abuser who managed to pull himself up and become clean after more than 25 years of smoking crack. He is definitely the exception. The positive note of this film is that he was able to become drug free and stay that way. He works at the Regent Park Community Health Center with drug addicts making safe drug kits to distribute. His philosophy is not necessarily to tell people to stop using but to provide a means for them to be safe about it. Greg, another former addict states he still uses drugs although he also works at the clinic. Greg’s statement, “what’s better than a hot summer day smoking crack in the shade” is contradictory to the film actually providing optimism and or help for a drug free life.
Filmed in cut-up movie scenes this film is slow going, depressing and sends the message that the future for most drug addicts is jail or death.
Awards:
- 2016 Best Canadian Film Rogers Award, Toronto Film Critics Association