Experiencing Interruptions?

Reclaiming Lives: Breaking The Stigma

In this expository five minute short documentary we set out to explore one of the most devastating issues in our society, addiction and substance abuse. Through the use of compelling testimony and statistics, challenging conventional perspectives and shedding light on the current situation in Northern Ireland and highlight their struggles and the impact it has on their lives. We explore the story of Johnny, a former addict, and explore his struggles with alcohol.

  • Giovanni Peresson
    Director
  • Giovanni Peresson
    Writer
  • Maria Sloan
    Writer
  • Maria Sloan
    Producer
  • Adam Martin
    cinematography and lighting
  • Giovanni Peresson
    Editing
  • Giovanni Peresson
    Sound Design and Recording
  • Giovanni Peresson
    Presenter
  • Lovisa Orstadius
    Music Compsing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    expository
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 4, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Ireland
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    MP4
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Ulster
  • Rathmullan Film Festival
    Rathmullan
    Ireland
    February 17, 2024
  • Belfast
    United Kingdom
    March 24, 2024
    Best Irish Documentary Short - Shortlisted
Director Biography - Giovanni Peresson

21, Student Documentary filmmaker based in Donegal. Creating documentaries allows me to tell the stories of those who need to be heard.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The premise of this documentary was to give a voice to addicts in Northern Ireland and
highlight the need for change, to help rather than treat them as a lost cause. I wanted to
tell the story of someone who suffered through addiction and recovered to show that
everyone deserves a second chance.
I aimed to break the traditional cinematography seen in documentary which is more of a
run and gun style. In this documentary the cinematography was treated like a narrative
film to give documentary the same status as films you would see in the cinema.
Creating a documentary based around the addiction has always been an aspiration of
mine. It is an issue which has been recognised as a criminal one when we can give these
people their lives back.