Iboga Nights (2014) User Reviews

Disturbingly honest, moving and amazingly human. A definite masterpiece.

[dervishmadwhirler · 9/10 · 28 February 2014]

An amazing piece of reality we do not see very often.

David's first Iboga documentary "Detox or Die" (in which he takes us, in a very personal and revealing way, through the whole process of how he went from being a dedicated heroin addict or even a heroin fanatic, to his realization that he had to kick heroin and the subsequent (worse) addiction to methadone and found a solution in a single experience with Ibogaine, the active alkaloid in the African entheogenic/psychedelic plant Tabernanthe Iboga) had left a lasting impression on me. I was blasted away by his in-depth and almost interactive way of filming which makes you directly part of the whole experience, of his suffering and his release from a many-year long struggle.

Frankly, in light of "detox or die," I expected "Iboga Nights" to be a rave review of Iboga and its amazing healing power, but I was -like with Detox or die- knocked off my feet when it turned out to be anything but simply a "hymn of praise" to Iboga. Honesty about the darker sides and dangers of Iboga-treatment and a disturbing close-up of how it can go wrong for some people, made this into yet another masterpiece of real-life documentary power. David is quite the sympathetic man himself and with this film, he transmits his shocking experience with the negative side and yet dedication to the healing power of Iboga and his genuine love for and interest in people. A must see for anyone interested in entheogens, the hell of addiction, or simply people in general.

A serious, emotional and enlightening masterpiece.

[urbanjungleboy · 9/10 · 13 March 2015]

Delve deep into the much debated treatment for opioid addiction that uses Ibogaine, an extremely powerful natural psychedelic substance found in a number of plants. Used for centuries in parts of Africa for spiritual and ritualistic purposes it is also known for its ability to eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms. This form of therapy still remains very much "underground" despite the overwhelming evidence of successfully treating opioid dependence amongst countless addicts throughout the world.

After receiving this treatment himself a number of years ago and personally finding the treatment a success, David Graham Scott sets out to meet a number of opiate addicts who are soon to undergo this controversial therapy. Get up close and very personal as the cameras follow them on their psychedelic journey towards liberation from the suffocating grip of Heroin, Morphine and opiates alike. The filmmaker shines a very bright light on this form of therapy and eventually finds himself taking care of a young addict who has made the serious decision to treat himself in a DIY fashion at his own home after doing a great deal of research into this substance which is banned in some countries and highly regulated in others. This film sets out to give Ibogaine a voice and the ability to prove itself as either a successful 'cure' for opioid dependence or a risky, dangerous yet very much available option. A serious, enlightening and emotional masterpiece which is sure to force you into your own debate as to whether this treatment should be making its way towards becoming a mainstream medical practice. One thing is for sure, It certainly isn't all plain sailing. Absolutely Brilliant!

Iboga Nights

[avmusicproductions · 10/10 · 11 February 2014]

Ibogaine, derived from the root of a central African plant called Iboga, had been used for centuries by the Bwiti people of Gabon & Cameroon, as part of a tribal initiation ceremony. A psychedelic with dissociative properties, the substance is banned in some countries; in other countries it is used by proponents of psychedelic therapy to treat addiction to methadone, heroin, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, & other drugs. Iboga Nights tackles some very important issues regarding heroin addiction. This film deserves the attention of every member of Public Health! Flawless Filmmaking by a great Documentarian.

A must see film for all of society.

[NoelD · 10/10 · 9 February 2014]

I saw a preview of this film recently and am glad I did. Following on from his very personal documentary 'Detox or Die', David Graham Scott's 'Iboga Nights' is a must see intimate portrait and emotional journey. of those trying to change their lives by using Ibogaine, the potential 'magic bullet' that could cure their addiction. As a viewer, I found myself rooting for all the characters in the film and hoping each would find a way out. I'm not going to say if they did or did not but this film raises the question of should we be doing more as a society and should we try new ways of treatment. Anyone involved in drug treatment and indeed those who are not, should watch this film.

loved it!

[patrickkelly2 · 10/10 · 3 March 2014]

Great work by David,yet again.Iv seen most of his content.Never fails to add his charm to a subject. Gritty and real,as only David does best. Really recommended if your interested in the iboga experience .This time he approaches from a slightly different angle .Conveying a more objective view of ibogaine.He presents the pros and cons,leaving the viewers to come to their own conclusion whether ibogaine is truly a miracle cure for addiction or just a placebo that instigate users in a state of empowerment .The people that are shown using iboga are a great addition..they represent a fair cross section of patients,showing that everyone responds differently.

Inspired bit of documentary film making

[jerryhyde · 10/10 · 6 January 2015]

I felt moved to tears as the credits rolled, it's a very sensitive, balanced and inspirational piece of heartfelt gonzo film making.

I seem to recall that Kieślowski's A Short Film about Killing had the effect of having the death penalty abolished in Poland. Truly great film really can be so much more than entertainment, it can bring about humanitarian change and in that sense Iboga Nights is a really important work.

David Graham Scott's approach is unusually non invasive and sensitive, but this is clearly because he is part of the story rather than a voyeur. This film has no agenda, it's not damning drug use nor is it ramming a new magic bullet down our throats. It's simply asking the question, does Iboga help people? It could so easily have gone for the grime and filth of a junkie's existence but instead it shows dignity within the desperation, the people beyond the habit. I watch a lot of documentary film but it's rare that I discover work of such unmanipulative caliber, I really hope this film gets the attention it so richly deserves, it's clearly a labor of love

A must see

[anthonyjones-97514 · 10/10 · 26 August 2020]

Not much more i can say about this than has already been said , but both this and detox or die are in my top 10 of favourite documentaries. HIghly recommended for anyone interested in the subject of psychedelics and their remarkable role in helping people with severe addictions.

Part of a NL government campaign against Sara Glatt

[dhsparkman · 1/10 · 20 November 2015]

Sara Glatt let this man into her home to film her Iboga operation, not knowing that he would depict her in a completely false light and misrepresent her work.

Ms. Glatt has been the subject of a smear campaign by the Netherlands government, with the support of several media outlets (obviously including this slander of a film), in conjunction with criminal charges filed against her of which she was acquitted by a jury.

Of course, this acquittal didn't stop the Netherlands government from continuing its campaign of government libel against her. She is the victim of governmental abuse because she tries to help people with a treatment that many of these addicts have claimed online has helped them make their lives new.

I've been to Sara's house too, and observed her in action live with her clients. She is a very caring and sensitive person, and the world owes her many favors for the work she has done, WHICH IS MISREPRESENTED IN THIS FILM. I have known her for over a decade, and never heard a bad word about her, outside of this film and the scandalous lies of the Netherlands government and its puppet media outlets.

So if you like baseless government-sponsored smear campaigns and lies, you will love this film. If you are like me, and despise lies and deceit, you will hate this film, and consult Sara's clientele and friends before you judge what she has accomplished.