[imagesource:instagram]

Nan Goldin has never been one to shy away from controversial subjects. From her first photographic exhibition on drag queens in Boston to supporting herself and her photography by becoming a sex worker, the Boston local has always looked to the fringes and subcultures for inspiration.

Her own life is worthy of a documentary, but it is the painful experience of becoming addicted to OxyContin that has led her to team up with equally fearless documentary filmmaker, Laura Poitras. And in doing so the artist, who has been called the queen of hardcore photography, took on one of big pharma’s wealthiest families, the Sacklers.

Poitras, herself, is also no stranger to controversial subject matter and has already received an Oscar for her documentary on Edward Snowden, entitled CitizenFour.

“Nan’s art and vision has inspired my work for years, and has influenced generations of filmmakers.”

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed takes an honest look at the life and career of Nan Goldin and her efforts to hold Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, accountable for the opioid epidemic.

Goldin also founded the advocacy group P.A.I.N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now) in 2017 after her addiction to Oxycontin, and near-fatal overdose. P.A.I.N. holds museums and other arts institutions accountable for its collaboration with the Sackler family.

Golding narrates the film, and in doing so easily captures the feeling of hopelessness, fear and righteous anger that many opioid-dependent people feel. The film has already received The Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival and with the nod from the Oscars, we can only imagine how nervous the Sackler family must be.

Nan Goldin and All the beauty and the Bloodshed seems to be a problem that won’t be solved with money.

Watch the NSFW trailer here:

[sources:guardian&wikipedia]