This documentary, set in the Lower East End of Vancouver's downtown core, is a pretty honest account of life on the streets in urban Canada. It is aimed at educating high school kids on the dangers of addiction to hard drugs and is the brainchild of a group of city police officers who videotape their interactions with local homeless personalities. It started as a tape to keep kids safe, and ended as a compassionate look at lives and faces that belong to families all too similar to your own. Through a Blue Lens is graphic and open, as well as deeply affecting for a lot of viewers. This excellent film was just meant to teach students about what awaits them if they don't seek help and make good choices now; when all is said and done it should be seen by a most adults, too. Definitely more than intelligent, honest, brutal, and involving enough for any discriminating audience.
Obviously biased to some extent, but a stunning example of truths of life. Pretty touching stuff, well-documented and explored. Definitely worth the watch.
As an aside, the subjects of the film Nicola and Randy have since cleaned up; Randy has a wife and is now a bodybuilder with a successful speaking career. The other two main concerns, Carlee and April, were not so lucky. Carlee overdosed six months after shooting wrapped up, and April was found strangled in an alley in an example of the dangers of addiction and prostitution. Both will be missed by those who knew them.
Obviously biased to some extent, but a stunning example of truths of life. Pretty touching stuff, well-documented and explored. Definitely worth the watch.
As an aside, the subjects of the film Nicola and Randy have since cleaned up; Randy has a wife and is now a bodybuilder with a successful speaking career. The other two main concerns, Carlee and April, were not so lucky. Carlee overdosed six months after shooting wrapped up, and April was found strangled in an alley in an example of the dangers of addiction and prostitution. Both will be missed by those who knew them.