Jim Armstrong RSFF Founder’s Top 3 Picks for Alcohol Awareness Week
Jim has been involved with the Recovery Street Film Festival since it began ten years ago; he was part of the initial team that got the festival off the ground back in the early days. Each year, many films are submitted to us with various narratives, but a common thread that we see through many is about people’s struggles with alcohol. To highlight Alcohol Awareness Week we thought who better to ask than Jim for his top 3 film picks related to alcohol.
The first is filmed and narrated in such a natural style you can’t fail but empathise with the storyteller. The second and third look at family and relationships in different ways, both incredibly honest and insightful. The three together they remind me of the quote from American novelist William Faulkner who said “The past is not dead, it is not even past”. They are all a reminder that our memories influence who we are but don’t have to define who we wish to be. I hope people will watch them during Alcohol Awareness Week and reflect on the insight and honesty of these films.
https://rsff.co.uk/previous-entries/v/it-is-nhsde-pk8se-k6tb2-am88l
Spaghetti of Wool
Maria has been knitting since she was a child and she continues to use knitting to help stay focussed. Following years of alcohol use and issues with her mental health, Maria was even knitting while living in a tent by the river. Now, Maria uses knitting as part of her recovery and shares her work with friends and loved ones
https://rsff.co.uk/previous-entries/v/shirleys-story
Shirley's Story
In a very honest and touching way we hear first had Shirley's story about her struggles with alcohol, how it affects her relationships, and her decision to go into recovery. Shirley has recently completed a 6 week residential course at Carlisle House Substance Misuse Treatment Centre. She lives in North Belfast.
https://rsff.co.uk/previous-entries/v/understanding-the-child-in-me
Understanding the child in me
Ceri Walker shares her experience of a child of a parent with an alcohol problem. As an adult now she talks to herself directly as a child seeking to understand her childhood and how it has affected her as an adult.