Recovering Love, a
documentary directed by Laura Sky, makes its Ottawa premiere at MayFair Theatre in the
Glebe today.
Based on a true story, the film highlights women and
addictions, challenges these women face daily, their courage in trying to meet
these challenges and the factors underlying their addictions.
“It is a story of a journey of mothers who have been
struggling with addictions but still committed to their relationship with their
children,” said Sky, film producer and director.
According to Sky, her film counters the stereotypical view that addicted women abandon or damage
their children.
“It looks at ways we can support children and their mothers
to stay together rather than having the kids apprehended,” she said.
Executive director Diane Massicotte, who recently settled in
Greely in Ottawa South to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, came up
with the idea while volunteering at the Iris Addiction Recovery Centre in
Sudbury, where she saw the need for an educational tool to help children speak
out about their experiences.
“Children affected by alcohol or addiction, they never talk
about it. It’s a shame-based secret, and it’s in the family as a secret,” said
Massicotte, who grew up with an alcoholic father and can relate to today’s
children. “I want to show it to children and perhaps they can open up, because
there is a stigma.”
Massicotte explained that the film is meant to be an
educational tool for shelters, agencies, schools, unions and other workplaces
either to train employees on how to deal with the issue, or to reach out to
people struggling with it themselves. She said most of the funding for the
film, which took five years and about $270,000 to make, came from unions who
want to use the film in their employee assistance programs.
The film, which focuses on personal stories about mothers
and children, was shot in the countryside out of Sudbury
and also in an urban support centre in Toronto.
“It does not teach or preach people. It is women who tell
their stories. They are realistic about the hard part of their lives but they
also want to encourage other mothers and kids who may be struggling with
similar issues,” Sky said.
She noted that though these mothers might be vulnerable they
also have great strength.
Sky indicated she thinks addiction is an ever-growing
problem that requires everyone’s attention.
Recovering
Love peels away the
layers of prejudice and punishment that confront women.
The
72-minute documentary shows the impact of that condemnation, and also looks deeper
into the systemic issues that lead to addiction in the first place, including
trauma and abuse, racism and discrimination.
“They deserve our support, not our punishment or
condemnation,” Sky said.
The film
also includes the wise voices of their kids, who have experienced their
mothers’ substance abuse and who are so much a part of reclaiming hope.
“We
have worked hard to make the film beautiful and meaningful. Hopefully people
will find it interesting,” said Sky.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the
door.
eddie.rwema@metroland.com
Ottawa This Week - Central