Meth

Sunday, September 17
Tower Theatre - 2:30 pm
$5 - buy tickets
buy festival pass

Scheduled to Appear: Todd Ahlberg

The scourge of the Central Valley is rather indelicately uncovered by director Todd Ahlberg. He draws striking candor and disarming humor from a dozen diverse gay men, young and old as he weaves together the highs and lows of crystal meth use by some now sober and some still using.

Ahlberg's film brings a powerful, timely and compelling story to Reel Pride, exploring the riding wave and rolling eyes of crystal use in the gay community and the good and bad that tag along for the ride. With its promise of sexual confidence and endurance, meth possesses an allure and soaring popularity that the men of the film discuss with abandon.

Beginning with the early thrills of mind-blowing ecstasy and feelings of superhuman power, "Tina" packs a punch that eventually overtakes its user, leading to an often-crushing descent into darkness, paranoia and self-destructive behavior. The hope expressed by those who manage to shake its grip is sadly tempered by the harsh reality that fewer than 6 percent of users ever successfully escape its realm.

Join director Ahlberg for a post-film panel discussion and Q&A on his amazing film and his even more stunning subjects.

Director: Todd Ahlberg

2005, USA, Video, 79 min