Drugs film attacked for glamorising heroin
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN ARLIDGE
Scotland Correspondent
The controversial new British film Trainspotting received its world premiere in Scotland last night. Thousands of people lined the streets around the Odeon, Glasgow, to watch actors and celebrities arrive at the launch of the fourth big Scottish feature of the past 12 months.
But unlike last year's Hollywood-inspired kilt movies, Rob Roy, Braveheart and Loch Ness, which have enjoyed critical acclaim, not everyone has welcomed the arrival of Trainspotting. The film, made by the Glasgow-based trio behind last year's top-selling British feature Shallow Grave, has been criticised for "glamourising" drug abuse.
The aggressively contemporary adaptation of Irvine Welsh's cult novel depicts four young low-lifers drifting in and out of heroin abuse in the deprived Muirhouse district of Edinburgh. They all enjoy using the illegal opiate which is described as "more than 1,000 times better than your best orgasm" - a slogan repeated on the film's advertising posters.
The catchphrase, and comments by the film's director, Danny Boyle, that the stylish low-budget film takes "no moral attitude", have prompted anti- drugs workers to condemn it. In Glasgow, where more than 100 addicts die each year from overdoses of heroin and other depressants, health professionals fear it could encourage a new generation of young people to experiment with drugs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments