Films

Addiction
Director: Grace Sheridan With Molly Fisherdodds, Louise Sheridan, Myles Egan Certificate 15 Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your selfrespect and everything that goes along with your self esteem. Kurt Cobain When we first meet Molly Preston she is taking medication while her protective sister Macy Preston is hurrying her along out the house. The two sisters enter a gathering. From the outset, body language tells us that Macy and Molly have a tense relationship. Reasons for their strained relationship become apparent when Molly steals away from her elder sister to indulge herself with alcohol and drugs with a group of girls at the back of the house. It seems that whenever Molly is not in sight Macys mind is not at rest. Macys concern for her younger sister leads her to spy on the group. Macy is joined by a young male called Daniel behind the corner of the wall. She becomes more anxious as she witnesses the extent of her sisters alcohol abuse from her hidden vantage point. As the afternoon continues Macy is alarmed by her sister Mollys increasingly vulnerable situation. Sheridans first feature In Her Eyes (2013) also explored the health issues of a family member and the effect they had on a young female carer. In Addiction we see this theme developed through Mollys unknown health issue revealed to us only through the medication she must take. Here the health condition is fused with a reliance on drugs to make more pronounced her vulnerability.

CREDITS
Directed by Grace Sheridan Produced by Grace Sheridan Written by Grace Sheridan Director of Photography Grace Sheridan Editor Grace Sheridan Production Designer Shannon Daglish Production Companies GJS Film Executive Producers Lucinda Day Rachel Kelly Georgia Cooper Associate Producer Lynn Corr Production Manager Ellie Nikel Production Accountant Daniel Might Production Co-ordinator Anna Hazel Location Manager Post-production Supervisor Stuart Russell Assistant Directors 1st: Claire Gragham 2nd: Rebecca Ford Casting Director Jimmy Fried Visual Effects Kayla Hay Art Director Sarah Gunn Props Master Isaac Nichol Costume Designer Harry Rook Wardrobe Supervisor Bella Flint Hair/Make-up Designer Beverly Obika Musical Supervisor James Mclemon Soundtrack Choreographer Sandra Flack Sound Recordist Jacob Geldard Re-recording Mixer Ben Still Supervising Sound Editor Joanna Howard

Left to right: Molly (Louise Sheridan) Macy Mollie Fisherdodds In Her Eyes took us into the world of a young female suffering from neglect and having to provide for herself due to her Mums mental illness. Sheridan has again brought realism to Addiction by portraying the issue of disenfranchised and disenchanted youth left behind by society. The films strategy throughout is to maintain an uncomfortable tension by putting us into the psyche of the anxious Macy watching every single one of her sisters moves. When Macy enters the garden to spy on her sister the sibling dynamic changes. Maceys clear frustration and disapproval juxtaposed with Mollys laughter with her friends highlights the difficulty of such a responsibility for someone of her age. There are more alarming sights to come for Macy (Molly Fisherdodds) when Molly (Louise Sheridan) mixes her drink with drugs and becomes defenceless. The turning point in the story comes when Molly begins to suffer the consequences of the cocktail of prescription medication, spirits and chemicalised marijuana. Feeling unwell, she separates herself from the group and heads into the house to rest. Sheridans POV style of narrative development pays huge dividends now. Inhabiting the protagonist this way, through development we share her sadness and sympathy as the extent of Mollys vulnerability is horrifyingly revealed to us. The film finishes with an implied sexual assault. Daniel, who has accompanied Molly inside on the pretext of making sure she is safe, takes advantage of her drugged state to satisfy his own carnal desires. Sheridans teenage non-professional actors give compelling and utterly real performances. The disturbing party life of a teenager is brought to our eyes with realism. It brings out realization of teenage youth in todays society. Overall this second film is a another fine accomplishment for this promising young director. Michelle Bondos
Credits for this film were unavailable at the time of going to press and will be published in the March issue.

SYNOPSIS Caterham, mid-evening. 17 year-old Macy is waiting on her twin sister Molly to get ready. Molly is taking medication till she is hurried out the house. The sisters enter a gathering while Macy hands Molly a drink. A young girl joins the sisters. Molly leaves the two girls. Macy turns around and notices Molly has disappeared. Macy enters the garden and sees Molly drinking with two other girls, she sneaks behind a wall. Macy spies on the group while a boy called Daniel sneaks up behind her. Daniel leaves Macy, while Mollys friend Ellie brings out weed from her pocket. Molly and the girls pass round the joint between them while Daniel creeps behind the wall with Macy again. Molly leaves the group and heads indoors while Daniel leaves Macy and assists Molly inside. Molly is lying vulnerably on the bed while Daniel takes off her coat and grabs her wrist. Later Daniel sneaks out the room as he crosses Macy. Macy enters to find Molly crying on the bed and comforts her in her arms.
38 Picture and Sound February 2014

CAST
Mollie Fisherdodds Macy Louise Sheridan Molly Myles Egan Daniel Leah Ayling Ellie Georgina Coughlan Girl 1 Leah Reay Girl 2