Synopsis
US AND THEM is a feature length documentary film about a woman's intent to help four drug-addicted street people heal their lives. The story evolves into a deep personal journey that reveals the root cause of addiction. The film provides a strong argument for a compassionate response from society in order to combat homelessness and addiction.
The Filmmaker's Vision
US AND THEM is about my experience spending time with four addicted street people over the past six years.
In the film, I teach my friends how to balance on the Medicine Wheel (a powerful First Nations healing practice) in order to take stock and heal their lives.
As one might imagine, things don't exactly unfold according to plan. And then sadly, one of the participants passed away.
After my friend's death I worried that the others would die too if they did not quit using. So I sought out Dr. Gabor Maté, addiction specialist and best selling author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, to see what I could do to save my friends. He told me to save myself. I listened to him.
My personal life then became part of the plot. I continued on, but eventually I had to set the film down to take care of my personal issues that unconsciously inspired the film in the first place. The realizations I had during this time changed my life. I am now ready to tell our story.
The film features my mentors Dr. Gabor Maté, Chief Phil Lane Jr., and Reverend Allen Tysick. And my friends Eddie Golko, Karen Montgrand, Dawnellda Gauthier, and Stan Hunter.
My intention is to induce emapthy for people living on our streets, which will ultimately result in increased love and compassion for all of US.
What We Need
At this time, funds are required to finish the film and our talents are exhausted. We need:
- a composer,
- a sound mixer,
- a color timer,
- a special effects editor,
- a graphic designer,
- and promotion & marketing funds
In return, all profits made from US AND THEM will be donated back to the street.
For every pledge of $10 or more Krista will deliver some type of clothing item directly to people living outside (socks, hoodies, sweaters, blankets, and jackets). She will be collecting donations starting on December 4th to make this happen. If you have any clothing items, blankets, or sleeping bags that you can donate please email kristaloughton@shaw.ca or call 250-889-1232. Thank you.
"You measure the degree of civilization of a society by how it treats its weakest members."
-Winston Churchill