Watch I'm Dangerous With Love

I'm Dangerous With Love, released in 2010, is a thought-provoking documentary that chronicles the journey of Dimitri Mugianis, a former heroin addict who finds salvation in an eccentric healing practice, iboga. The film is directed by Michel Negroponte, who delicately portrays the controversial healing practice and its impact on Dimitri's life.

The documentary takes us through Dimitri's story, starting from his roots in New York City's punk scene to his descent into heroin addiction and eventual recovery. Utilizing a blend of personal anecdotes, interviews with Dimitri's family and friends, and footage of his trip to Gabon -where iboga is traditionally used in ritualistic ceremonies- Negroponte's film weighs the potential of iboga to cure addiction.

Dimitri Mugianis serves as the film's main focus, a self-proclaimed 'urban shaman,' who claims that iboga brought him back from the brink of death. He becomes the face of an underground movement, leading discussions of the drug's potential to heal addicts. Although iboga is a hallucinogenic substance, Dimitri insists that it is not a drug but a tool that enables one to explore their relationship with consciousness.

Negroponte deeply examines Dimitri's addiction through intimate interviews and clever visual storytelling. We see personal photos of a young Dimitri, clips of his former band performances and a tour of his dingy New York apartment. The film does not shy away from the dark realities of drug addiction, from Dimitri's personal struggles with sobriety to his friends' overdose deaths. As we watch Dimitri's transformative journey to sobriety, the film vividly portrays the dangers and bruises of addiction.

The documentary also features interviews with Dimitri's followers, including addicts and counterculture enthusiasts who have experienced iboga's healing powers firsthand. The film shows their various experiences with the drug, some life-changing and others less so. Through these voices, Negroponte explores the possibility of iboga serving as an alternative to conventional drug rehab methods.

The film takes a turn as Dimitri's drug-craving returns, leading to his self-exile to Panama. Negroponte captures Dimitri's struggles as he finds himself caught between his desire for sobriety and the drug's allure. As Dimitri searches for a way to control his addiction, the film explores the complex ethical implications of iboga, raising questions about the drug's legality and safety.

Throughout the documentary, Negroponte's camera follows Dimitri's trip to Gabon, where iboga is used in traditional Bwiti rituals. The film provides an intimate look at the ceremony's spiritual side and how it has withstood centuries of cultural change. Dimitri, while initially unsure of what to expect, experiences a profound connection with the drug and its potential to soothe his soul.

The scenes of the ceremony in Gabon are stunning, with shots of the stunning rainforest, the rituals and the people closely intertwined. The ceremony features songs and dances that reflect the Bwiti's faith, and the film captures the rituals in captivating detail. Negroponte juxtaposes these scenes with personal interviews, exploring Dimitri's reflections and revelations following his experience in Gabon.

Overall, I'm Dangerous With Love is a poignantly crafted film that examines the potential of iboga as a tool to cure addiction. Through Dimitri's journey, Negroponte's film raises valid concerns about iboga's legal and ethical implications, as well as its potential to change lives. The documentary is not only insightful but also visually stunning, with compelling footage of the Bwiti ceremony and striking visuals of New York City's music scene.

In conclusion, I'm Dangerous With Love is a fascinating, thought-provoking documentary that intricately examines the idea of how drug addiction is a spiritual problem in need of a spiritual solution. With Dimitri Mugianis as its central figure, Negroponte produces a perceptive, raw and compelling look at the possibility of iboga as an unconventional means to overcome addiction. The film leaves us with more questions than answers but provides a worthy cautionary tale of the complex ethical implications surrounding iboga.