A real look into the downtown eastside.

[mikey]

A very close friend of mine made this short film/documentary. He spent 5 months living in a downtown eastside hotel while he was working on this.

globeandmail.com Special Report: Raven and Jason

enjoy.

[mojo]

I can't say that i enjoy seeing that, but it is an angle of that lifestyle you do not often get a chance to witness.

cheers.

[FeelGood]

wow. that was quite the eyeopener. thanks for sharing that.

[impure]

wow.
that puts some perspective on life.

[penguinabc123]

im at work so ill see it after, but is it similar to through the blue lense?

[ppcock]

at first, it was nothing too shocking. workin in gas town, i saw it all the time.
people using the bank machine then running to a dealer.
So at first, i did feel a bit sorry while reading the text. Then, comes where he's putting the needle in his arm and all my sympathy.. went out the door.


The best of luck to those two, i hope the move to winterpeg does actually help them out

[P.A.R.T.Y]

Wow, that was a really well put together documentary. I think that their story reflects on a lot of problems the downtown east side experiences. The funny thing is that a lot of junkies are pretty nice people even though they're living way below the poverty line and have to watch people who have so much, give so little.

Good luck Raven and Jason.

[*Margie*]

Wow. Really good movie. The ending where he says how much he loves her put a tear in my eye. Amazing how people with so little can have so much hope in life. Best of luck for sure to those two.

[jenai]

although i have a camera, i don't take pics of the downtown eastside out of respect.

once i took the 210 from phibbs in n.van and when it got to chinatown i got off to check out the filming a new series. then i got on the #4 UBC and when it wen thru gastown into downtown eastside, i just looked and stopped taking pictures.

then when the bus got onto howe, i took the camera out again.

my attitude will change, i supposed, once i figure out where Pivot is...

Thanks Mikey, I really like how it gives us a better idea of what ppl on the down town east side go through day to day and get to know them personaly. I was so touched by Jason taking care of Raven. Its so sad to see such a good caring person having to live in conditions like that regardless of their addiction.

[jenai]

Sometimes I think David Cunningham's a dumbass, but IDK. He used to be a crack addict, and now he's gone Zapatista.

That may be the only solution that works for the underclass, considering how much Canada's eroded socialist democracy has actually contributed the country's poorest postal code.

Indeed, the privatization of BC is only worsening their lot.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by jenai

Sometimes I think David Cunningham's a dumbass, but IDK. He used to be a crack addict, and now he's gone Zapatista.

That may be the only solution that works for the underclass, considering how much Canada's eroded socialist democracy has actually contributed the country's poorest postal code.

Indeed, the privatization of BC is only worsening their lot.

or maybe it has to do with the fact they let guys like you out of the hospital.

after watching that i further appreciate the sheltered life i have, even if i fell into the world of drug addiction i have a family who would provide me with the support and the means to get off it. the sad reality is alot of people who end up on the streets never had the opportuninty or support necessary to keep em from falling, much less help them get back on their feet.

Really when i see this, it affirms my belief that we are all humans and that life is fucked. You really can't hate on an addict who has hiv and still shoots dope because you really dont know what its like to kick that shit even though you really dont have any hope.

Also, take a look at your own family or friends/acquintances its gaurenteed you've had someone close to you, that you care about who is an addict, if you think about that you can't just going about writting people off just because they're an addict.

Raven and Jason need help, no particular form of ideologically driven politics or policies will help them, we need a compassionate and pragmatic social system to address these issues, the sad reality is nothing like that will ever exist.

[robyn]

the level of dedication between these two crack addicts manages to make every relationship i've ever had look like shit. wow.

[kiMMie]

That was quite a documentary. Thank you for sharing that. Despite the drug use in that film, I have to admit that Jason's caregiving skills over Raven is truly heartening.

I wish the best for them both and hope for their new start sooner than later.

[azazel]

gosh. that was terrible.

i feel bad for saying what i did about crack heads.

[azazel]

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:11



I think this means that no one should boast about their accomplishments or station in life. we're all a product of time and chance and we need to be humble before God and towards our fellow man and woman.

[GSG9]

Originally Posted by Senior

FUCK GOD

thats uncalled for

[ebbomega]

NO SERIOUSLY, FUCK HER. YOU'LL NEVER GO BACK.l

[azazel]

Originally Posted by Senior

FUCK GOD

i really don't appreciate that

[esoter1c]

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by azazel

i really don't appreciate that

He probably doesn't appreciate rampant evangelism

[Courtney]

that was really emotional for me...but your friend did a great job...thanks..

[azazel]

Originally Posted by ebbomega

He probably doesn't appreciate rampant evangelism

i wasn't trying to convert a nikkuh up in here

[ebbomega]

How dare you call His Holy Noodliness an "imaginary friend"!!!!