4/15/19 @9:45am pst - Filmmaker Pat McGee joined host Janeane to talk about shooting the documentary AMERICAN RELAPSE (screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 30, 2019)

LISTEN to today's conversation with Pat McGee

"The biggest challenge as a filmmaker was realizing there is a fine line between humanity and exploitation. Each time someone shoots up they could overdose and die. This is as real as it gets, people are overdosing and dying at alarming rates. We wanted the doc to speak the truth, and to start an honest conversation about what's really happening in the streets. In order to do that you need to document and not produce. As a filmmaker I needed to understand what I'm okay with, can I accept the responsibility when someone dies in front of me because I did not prevent them from sticking a needle full of fentanyl in their vein. Documenting the heroin epidemic is tantamount to reporting from the frontlines of a war...people die, are you willing to get out of your comfort zone to document the truth?" - Pat McGee

AMERICAN RELAPSE

Drug overdoses killed more Americans last year than the Vietnam War.

Recovering addicts Frankie and Allie spend their lives helping other addicts, but can they stay clean themselves?

AMERICAN RELAPSE is a feature documentary about the ripped-from-the-headlines heroin epidemic and the corrupt underground rehab industry that has sprung up around it in Southern Florida. 

THE AWARD-WINNING FILM THAT INSPIRED VICELAND'S HIT SERIES ‘DOPESICK NATION’

OPENING IN LA & NY ON MARCH 29

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ON APRIL 2

Best Feature Documentary, Rhode Island International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Alexandria Film Fest
MINT Spirit Award (Top Festival Prize), Montana International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Laughlin International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Mammoth Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Other Venice Film Festival
Social Awareness Award, Orlando Film Festival

Recovering addicts Frankie and Allie spend their lives helping other addicts, but can they stay clean themselves?

AMERICAN RELAPSE tells the story of two people fighting to make a difference against the devastating heroin epidemic that’s spawning a billion-dollar treatment industry. Against the odds, in an “Us vs. the World” mentality, two recovering addicts spend their lives pulling needles out of the arms of addicts and assist in placing them in reputable treatment facilities. The film features Frankie and Allie who live and work in Delray Beach, Florida, the Rehab Capital of America, now referred to by some as the Relapse Capital of America. They allowed the film crew all access for one weekend. What transpires over 72 hours is not only captivating and raw, but a heartbreaking rollercoaster ride.
Frankie is 38 and has relapsed multiple times but continues to operate his F*ck Heroin Foundation with his mother. Allie is 28 and has been clean and sober for 10 years. While they are at different points on the recovery spectrum, they both share a deep belief in the 12th step: helping others. These unlikely and imperfect heroes opened their lives for the world to see, hoping to shine a light anywhere and any way they can. In the process, they show viewers and addicts alike that despite seemingly impossible odds and devastating damage, empathy and hope can restore a little bit of humanity to those who struggle and can sometimes save their lives.

AMERICAN RELAPSE is directed by Pat McGee and Adam Linkenhelt, and is produced by Pat McGee Pictures in association with Sorted Pictures and Next Up Productions. Executive producers include Pat McGee and Stacy McPeak for Pat McGee Pictures, Ian and Jaime Manheimer of Next Up Productions and producers Terry Hahin and Adam Linkenhelt for sorted Pictures. The film has a running time of 105 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA.

Pat McGee Pictures will release the film in Los Angeles and New York exclusively for one week beginning March 29. The film will screen at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Los Angeles and Cinema Village in New York City.

Gravitas Ventures will distribute the film on VOD beginning April 2nd. Among the many platforms include iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo, and Amazon. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/american-relapse/id1451031005

To view the trailer, go to: https://vimeo.com/309928484
For more information, go to: www.americanrelapse.com