Breaking the Taboo

Breaking the Taboo is an insightful and thought-provoking documentary feature film released in 2011. Directed by Cosmo Feilding Mellen and Fernando Grostein Andrade, the movie delves into the subject of the global war on drugs, its influence, and controversial outcomes. Featuring personalities like Fran Boyd Andrews, Brenda Blom, and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, among others, this film is a potent cocktail of investigative journalism, documentary storytelling, and social commentary.

The main narrative of Breaking the Taboo is primarily built around the personal testimonies and expert perspectives of various individuals, including those of political leaders, law enforcement officials, drug-pushers, and users. Fran Boyd Andrews, who also appeared in the TV series "The Corner," speaks through her visceral experiences about her recovery struggle from hard-core drug addiction.

Accompanying Fran Boyd Andrews is Brenda Blom, a law professor with a particular interest in criminal justice. She sheds light on the legal aspects and consequences that many individuals face due to current national and international drug laws, bolstering the narrative's instructive quality.

Another noteworthy personality is Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the former President of Brazil. His inclusion in the cast offers a unique perspective on the procedure regarding drug control policies at the highest level of authority, as well as its far-reaching implications.

The title, Breaking the Taboo, is symbolic for the film's bold attempt to confront and question a globally accepted norm: The War on Drugs. This 50-year contingency, although launched with the noble intention of eradicating drug usage and its associated crimes, has, according to the film's thesis, only led to a growth in prison populations and criminal cartels, without significantly reducing drug use rates.

The film raises several crucial points about the efficacy of this war. It points out the inconsistent application of drug laws, with certain communities disproportionately targeted compared to others. It looks at the economic consequences of enforcing drug prohibition, and how certain organizations may benefit profitably from such policies despite their proclaimed goals.

On the other hand, Breaking the Taboo also presents potential alternatives to the existing global policy on drugs. It delves into the concept of drug decriminalization, often citing Portugal's drug policy as a successful example of this approach. The film argues that the shift from incarceration to rehabilitation and therapy would benefit not only individuals who use drugs but also society at large by reducing crime rates and easing the financial burdens on the penal and judicial systems.

It's important to note that Breaking the Taboo isn't merely limited to spotlighting these issues. It goes one step further by challenging the audience to rethink their own perspectives on drugs and their users. By giving voice to a wide spectrum of individuals—from those in power to those affected by power—it attempts to humanize the faces obscured behind the statistics and headlines regarding drug use and its punishment.

While the film is rooted in examining the situation in the United States, it presents a comprehensive global perspective, touching on issues as they are dealt in other countries as diverse as the UK, Sweden, Portugal, and Brazil. International drug policies, their inconsistencies, and the global impact of these variations find a substantial mention in the narrative.

Breaking the Taboo is brought to life by impactful narration from renowned actor Morgan Freeman and features interviews with highly influential figures, including former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, as well as renowned figures like Richard Branson and Paul Volcker. These interviews further underscore the gravity and urgency of the subject matter.

Supported by captivating visuals and a sequence of animated illustrations that detail the background and timeline of the War on Drugs, Breaking the Taboo carries its nuanced discourse forward in a coherent and engaging manner.

Overall, Breaking the Taboo is a movie that dares to question the norms, challenges global perceptions, and demands a shift in ingrained policy decisions. It is a must-watch film not just for policymakers and social workers, but for anyone committed to understanding and engaging with the gritty realism that surrounds the global war on drugs. Be prepared to confront hard-hitting truths, gain fresh insights, and in the process, maybe even break a few taboos of your own.