Addicted - Protocol of a helplessness

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Movie
Original title Addicted - Protocol of a helplessness
Country of production Germany
original language German
Publishing year 1992-2004
length 90 minutes
Rod
Director Jens Hamann Sabine Braun
script Sabine Braun
production Jens Hamann Filmproduktion, Cologne
camera Jens Hamann
occupation
  • Tanja H.
  • Mrs. H. (mother)
  • Alexandra S. (big sister)
  • Martin (paternal friend)
  • Dr. Brink
  • Ute Harte (doctor)
  • Hannelore Kinkhorst (probation officer)

Addicted - Protocol of a Helplessness is a long-term documentary by Sabine Braun and Jens Hamann and accompanies the life of the drug addict Tanja H. from the age of 15 until her death at the age of 29. Several versions of the film were made over the years. The first recordings were made in 1990, the last in 2003. The author published a book with the same title on the film.

Life and death of Tanja H.

The documentation is largely silent about the youth. Tanja lives with her mother and little sister in Hamburg. Family relationships are problematic and overshadowed by alcohol problems.

On December 28, 1989 Tanja took the first shot of heroin . Nine months later, she nearly dies of an overdose. A little later, the author Sabine Braun and her cameraman Jens Hamann begin a documentary film about Tanja's life. The young girl is not yet marked by the drug. Tanja almost always makes a happy, good-humored, even life-hungry impression. She is attractive and knows about it, and she believes she can handle any problems that may arise. The prevailing attitude is that they can stop at any time, and deep-seated insecurity is seldom noticeable. While Tanja has repeatedly in custody sat, but the author believes that Tanya will overcome their drug problems, and it is planned, the way out of dependence documented. The family is also optimistic.

In 1992 the first version of the film is broadcast. But Tanja cannot free herself from the downward spiral. In order to finance the drugs she “ buys ”, and in order to endure this activity she increases the drug consumption. She tries to break free, switches to theft and drug trafficking , and comes into conflict with the law more and more frequently. Withdrawal attempts remain in vain, as does the support of mother and siblings. “She has to want it herself,” says the mother, but nobody knows how to achieve this permanently.

At some point the time of suspended sentences will be over. Tanja has several times in prison . During this time she recovers physically and supposedly also mentally. “I've gotten tougher,” she says when asked about her health, thoughts and feelings after a discharge. Optimism and pessimism alternate. She finally wants to get her life and herself under control, but then she says again: “I already know that. I'll start again at the first opportunity. "

Further withdrawal programs will follow. For years Tanja has been given the drug Polamidon , a heroin substitution drug, but the crisis in life has not been overcome, and so Tanja switches to additional intoxicants that still have an effect, especially cocaine . At some point there is a point where she detests herself. The body is ruined. The few remaining teeth are no longer suitable for chewing. “ I look like a zombie to the power of three. If I were a man, I wouldn't look at my ass anymore, ”she says, trying to laugh even at this desperate statement.

In prison she gets new teeth, regains part of her former attractiveness, also recovers physically and draws strength from it for life “outside”, but hope is over. Tanja has long been HIV positive and sees no permanent way out. Sometimes she lives with older men who claim to love her. But Tanja has finished with the subject and she would move out at any time if she knew where to go.

In the summer of 2002 Tanja was released again from prison. This time it was eleven months. She has had enough of the documentary accompaniment and hardly allows encounters. Six months later, she breaks off all contact.

Half a year later there is new hope. Tanja is seriously in love and has found a doctor who, despite all previous failures, prescribes Polamidon again. Tanja allows contact with the author again, and after her release from prison she sings with anticipation: “You are my star.” The crash is hard. The man with whom she had an intimate relationship for years has just died of cancer. For the first time, the camera is allowed to show Tanja's tears.

In September 2003 Tanja collapses while visiting the doctor and dies in the night of October 5th to 6th.

Awards

“The award-winning works convince through the relevance of the topic, general comprehensibility and the attractiveness of the presentation. Above all, the effect of the contributions on social awareness and their stimulation for a broad discussion make them deserving winners of the German Social Prize "

Availability

The film was broadcast about once a year for a number of years, mostly on one or more third-party programs on public television. The WDR publishes copies for a fee of around 130 euros.

See also

Web links