Heroin: Cape Cod, USA (HBO)

About Heroin: Cape Cod, USA (HBO)

"Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" is a 2015 documentary film that first aired on HBO. Directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Steven Okazaki, unflinchingly portrays the grim reality of heroin addiction in Massachusetts, focusing on eight young heroin addicts in idyllic Cape Cod. The film offers an intimate look into the tragic cycle of opioid addiction — from the moment of first use, the daily struggle to get clean, and the journey to stay clean.

Making / Production

The film was produced by HBO Documentary Films and directed by Steven Okazaki. Okazaki brought a deeply personal approach to the subject, interviewing subjects at length and spending a great deal of time on Cape Cod to accurately capture the effects of the opioid epidemic on local communities. It also examines how the rise of synthetic opiates like fentanyl has changed the landscape of drug addiction.

Actors

• Marissa - A young woman suffering from heroin addiction, Marissa's struggles showcased the cyclical nature of addiction
• Daniel - A heroin addict trying to recover, his journey highlighted the complexities of overcoming addiction.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary features real-life addicts, not actors portraying characters.
• Cape Cod was selected as the location due to its surprising high rate of opiate addiction despite its reputation as a tourist location.

Awards

"Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" has not received any specific awards, but has been widely praised for its unflinching portrayal of the realities of drug addiction.

Quotes

• "It's like a warzone. It really is." —Marissa, describing Cape Cod's heroin problem
• "I'm not a bad person. I'm just a sick person." —Daniel, explaining the struggle of addiction

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for "Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" is primarily a haunting original score, reflecting the grim reality of addiction.