INDIANAPOLIS — Emotions ran high and hard work was recognized when “The Addict’s Wake” documentary premiered in Indianapolis last week.
The documentary features stories of substance use disorder and recovery in Brown County.
It was shown at the 30th annual Heartland Film Festival Oct. 11.
And following the film, two of its subjects, along with the director, producer and executive producer were presented with Distinguished Hoosier awards from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office.
Executive Producer Lisa Hall had worked with her crew and Donald Katz to arrange for Cory and Michelle Joy, who are featured in the documentary, to receive the award for their work with Do Something Inc., a local nonprofit. Do Something operates the Launch House in Nashville, helping those in addiction recovery.
Katz is an invested supporter of the documentary who is from Carmel and lost a son to an overdose.
The Distinguished Hoosier has been awarded by Indiana governors for more than 50 years to recognize outstanding Indiana residents. Governors award the Distinguished Hoosier to those who “distinguish themselves by significant contributions to their communities and whose qualities and actions endear them in the hearts and minds of Hoosiers,” press secretary Erin Murphy said.
After the Joys were presented with their awards, Hall, Director Michael Husain and Producer Amy Pauzek were also given the honor. Hall said they were not expecting it.
“It was just wild,” she said. “(We were) very surprised.”
More award news soon followed when it was announced on Oct. 15 that the film was the winner of the Indiana Spotlight Category at the Heartland Film Festival, which Hall said will help with the film’s credibility as they move forward. The award came with $2,000 that will help with distribution costs, Hall said.
Cory Joy said feelings of awe and honor blew him away after receiving the award from the governor.
“We had no clue,” he said. “We were blown away.”
The Joys had been told to hang around after the film concluded for a Q&A session. Joy said they had prepared to speak and were mentally preparing to do so even more after watching the emotional film.
“It was surreal,” he said.
It was also surreal to see the film on screen after the process of filming started 2019, he said.
“We were all amazed at the weaving together the director did to tell a story,” he said. “(Husain) weaved all these people’s lives together, weaved a community together to show that this is the story.”
Though there were moments of pain, grief and even laughter “rising to the top” throughout the film, Joy said that there was also a feeling of pride in the community.
“I love the community and I love our area,” he said. “I was proud that our community — our little county — has the potential to bring hope and change to other communities through this resource. It was an honor.”
The Joys lost their oldest son Caleb to a drug overdose in 2017. Even though they were involved in the film due to their own loss, Joy said that the potential that can come from sharing their story is “incredible.”
“We are still healing,” he said. “There’s always a part of you that’s missing. With each day, week, month and year you find yourself maybe not being triggered by anything and everything.”
Joy said their own grief experience in losing Caleb has been a slow process, and is an element seen in the film, but not necessarily verbalized. One of the moments captured in the documentary was the spreading of Caleb’s ashes in February of 2021.
Joy said his hope was that a family experiencing the same slow process can watch the film and see that it’s okay to take their time processing grief or loss.
“Every family has a different time they walk through things,” Joy said. “Do things as you feel called to do them.”
Interviews are not limited to local families of those who have battled or are battling substance use disorder. A professor at Butler University shares what happens with brain architecture when someone is using narcotics. Brown County Sheriff Scott Southerland and former Brown County Schools Superintendent Laura Hammack also speak to substance use disorder in the community and its effects.
The story of a local man battling substance use disorder is followed for two and a half years, with interviews taking place at Marion and Jackson County jails.
Between the highly anticipated premiere of the film and unexpectedly receiving an award, Hall said it was “the craziest night.”
Seeing the fruits of her and many others’ hard work on screen has been emotional for Hall.
“I’ve been really teary about it,” she said. “You don’t know if you’re telling the stories people need to hear, I hoped we were. … You go about this process for two and a half years and it’s ready, you hope you hit it on the right mark.”
After a standing ovation and receiving awards following the film, Hall believes they did.
Hall said the power of the film lies in the subjects’ willingness to be vulnerable.
“Had they held back in any way, it wouldn’t have been powerful,” she said. “This (film) is going to start conversations. We really believe this could have impact.”
“It was a fantastic evening,” she said. “I’ll never forget it.”
The theater was sold out the night of premiere and the film was shown throughout the duration of the festival. Those interested will have another chance to see it at the Brown County Playhouse on Dec. 9, free of charge.
Additionally, Hall said that they are looking at doing a second edit of the film, making it shorter so it can be shown in schools and classrooms.
“I am so grateful for this community and their desire to become healthier as a community,” she said. “I am just a vehicle, Michael (Husain) is just a vehicle, it’s the people in the community that came together to allow the stories to be told.”
WATCH “THE ADDICT’S WAKE” AT THE PLAYHOUSE
“The Addict’s Wake” will be shown at the Brown County Playhouse on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Entry is free, but tickets must be reserved at the box office. Visit the Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., or visit browncountyplayhouse.org for more information.
