My friend Jenny. Portrait of an addict
Description
In May of 1994, 20-year-old Jennifer "J.C." Wittberger was found dead on a bathroom floor from a heroin overdose. From a wealthy, suburban background, few would have guessed that this attractive, hip young woman was hooked on heroin. Filmed by her close friend, the documentary penetrates the aura of glamour Jenny tries to convey to reveal a life alternating between desparation and sickness. Interviews with family and friends recollect Jenny during happy, innocent times. It implicitly asks how did Jenny go from being the happy child we see in early home movies to the self destructive addict who died a lonely death.What emerges throughout the film is the vivid story of a tortured young woman caught between two worlds -- one bright with unlimited opportunity, the other dark and deadly. When J.C. was eventually consumed by her addiction, grieving friends and family are left behind to forever question why.This realistic portrayal of the disintegration of a young life will alert both students and counselors to the sordid reality of addiction.
Runtime
64 min
Subjects
Genre
Date of Publication
1998
Database
Alexander Street
Direct Link
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