| Self Medicated | |
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Theatrical Poster |
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| Directed by | Monty Lapica |
| Produced by | Thomas Bell Monty Lapica |
| Written by | Monty Lapica |
| Starring | Diane Venora Monty Lapica Greg Germann Michael Bowen |
| Music by | Anthony Marinelli |
| Cinematography | Denis Maloney |
| Editing by | Timothy Kendall |
| Distributed by | THINKFilm |
| Release date(s) | 31 August 2007 |
| Running time | 107 min. |
| Language | English |
Self Medicated is a 2007 independent film based on real-life events from writer/director/lead actor Monty Lapica about Andrew, a troubled teenager whose mother has him kidnapped at age 17 by a private company and forcibly committed to a locked-down psychiatric institute.
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Based on true events. On the edges of Las Vegas, 17-year-old Andrew’s life is spiraling out of control. Unable to cope with the loss of his father, Andrew’s descent into drugs and violence is gaining momentum, and the once promising young man is now headed for self-destruction (in what Variety calls “an especially blistering performance by Monty Lapica”).
Andrew’s mother (Golden Globe nominee Diane Venora), helpless to control her son and fighting an addiction of her own, refuses to watch idly as her only child destroys himself. As a last resort, she hires a private company to forcibly kidnap and confine him in a locked-down and corrupt psychiatric hospital. As Andrew is subjected to the secret physical and emotional abuses of the program something inside him is re-awakened. He must somehow get free to save what’s left of his life, but to do that, he knows he must first face his own demons head-on.
Self-Medicated is an extraordinary portrait of redemption and personal triumph over hardship that “packs a startling punch” (Variety).
With 39 international film awards, Self-Medicated was the most award-winning independent film of 2006.
The film has toured the festival circuit extensively, collecting 39 awards.
Reviews have been generally favorable. The Hollywood Reporter said there was "a raw, unmannered intensity in Lapica's performance sets the requisite tone for the entire production. Self- Medicated is just what the doctor ordered." "Hollywood Reporter". http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000979485., and Daily Variety said the film was "a searing portrait of an out-of-control youth . . . strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering performance from Lapica. Packs a startling punch!" Chang, Justin (2005-07-04). "Daily Variety". http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927558.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0.
The film was theatrically released on August 31, 2007 in 15 markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Boston, San Diego, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Portland, Seattle, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Austin, and Las Vegas.
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