Through a Blue Lens
1999
52 min
Coming soon
This gripping documentary takes a powerful look at the lives of people with substance use disorder in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Filmmaker Veronica Alice Mannix follows Constable Al Arsenault and six other police officers on their daily beat, documenting their unique relationships with people who speak candidly about their painful past experiences, their drug addiction, and life on the street.
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Details
This gripping documentary takes a powerful look at the lives of people with substance use disorder in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Filmmaker Veronica Alice Mannix follows Constable Al Arsenault and six other police officers on their daily beat, documenting their unique relationships with people who speak candidly about their painful past experiences, their drug addiction, and life on the street.
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
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participantNicolaCarleeJohn Bear CurtisLanaSerenaRichard ToddKevin FrankRandyDarleneDanièle ShannonMichelleJean-Michel HenryDebra KarenRomana
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cinematographyToby HintonDave KolbDale WeidmanLen HollingsworthAl ArsenaultMark SteinkampfWalt McKay
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directorVeronica Alice Mannix
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director of photographyDaniel C. Mannix
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editorShelly Hamer
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additional police cinematographyJim MitchellCarla WebbAndy Tomec
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consultantMichelle Bjornson
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story editorMichelle Bjornson
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music composerDennis Burke
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musicianJim Porter
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additional cinematographyRudolf Kovanic
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camera assistantDave Lank
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location soundJonathan Ritchie
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sound consultantBrent Marchenski
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stillsAl ArsenaultToby Hinton
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production stillsBob SemeniukChristopher Grabowski
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demo editingChristopher Keam
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sound designOrca Pacific Productions
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mixOrca Pacific Productions
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video post-productionRainmaker Digital Pictures
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motion controlCarousel Video Transfers Ltd.
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production supervisorKathryn Lynch
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program administratorBruce Hagerman
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producerGillian Darling Kovanic
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executive producerGraydon McCrea
Education
Ages 13 to 17
Health/Personal Development - Mental Health/Stress/Suicide
Health/Personal Development - Substance Use and Abuse/Addiction
Media Education - Documentary Film
Social Studies - Contemporary Issues
Encourage discussion about the stereotypes surrounding drug addicts. Discuss why so many teens turn to drugs as a coping strategy. Compare and contrast the reality of life on the streets with the Hollywood depiction of drug addiction. Students can research the term skid row, showing how it applies to some parts of large cities. Discuss the effectiveness of this kind of documentary as a deterrent.
