As Prescribed (2022)

As Prescribed (2022)

Directed by Holly Hardman, 92 mins

Livestreamed screening and discussion

Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan - all belong to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines (benzos). News and entertainment media portray them in terms of addiction and abuse or as innocuous medications that relax nerves. 

As Prescribed documents a strikingly different narrative, following eye-opening stories of invisible illness and disability. 

Boston-based survivor Geraldine Burns leads a grassroots army of “good patients” that help other victims and advocate tirelessly for benzodiazepine harm awareness. But resistance is strong; Geraldine and her cohorts are opposed by powerful forces that include pharmaceutical giants and a medical culture that has denied the problem for decades.

We are delighted to showcase this important and most timely film once again, having first featured it in our 2022 festival line-up.

The discussion after the screening will be moderated by Dr Jonathan Pimm from The Lancet; Jonathan will be joined by As Prescribed director Holly Hardman, As Prescribed protagonist Geraldine Burns, and Dr Mark Horowitz, lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines which will be published in March 2024.

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