Watch Oxyana

Oxyana is a gripping documentary film that takes a deep dive into the ongoing opioid epidemic in the city of Oceana, West Virginia. Directed by Sean Dunne, the film explores the widespread drug addiction and rampant poverty plaguing the town's residents. The movie opens with a stunning aerial shot of the charming town, with its quaint homes, picturesque hills, and a clear blue sky. But the idyllic facade is soon shattered as the camera zooms in to reveal the harsh realities of the place. Oxyana was once a thriving mining town, but the coal industry collapsed, leaving many residents out of work and struggling to make ends meet.

The film follows several residents, including former addicts, drug dealers, police officers, and health workers, as they share their stories and experiences of addiction and its devastating consequences. One of the most moving scenes involves a group of gentlemen in their 60s and 70s sitting in a barber shop reminiscing about their lives and the tragic loss of their loved ones to drug addiction. Another scene shows a woman sharing her experiences of going through withdrawal while pregnant and the immense guilt she feels for potentially putting her unborn child's health at risk.

The film's strong point lies in its intimate portrayal of the town's inhabitants. The interviews are raw and unfiltered, providing an unflinching account of the horrors of addiction, poverty, and a lack of opportunities. Dunne doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of the town, including the open sale of drugs and the omnipresence of drug paraphernalia littering the streets. In one scene, we see needles scattered in a parking lot, a sobering reminder of the epidemic's widespread grip on the town.

The bleakness of the movie is balanced with moments of hope and resilience. We see a health worker passionately campaigning for harm reduction practices, such as safe needle exchanges, and providing much-needed support to the community's most vulnerable. The film also shows the community coming together to celebrate an annual festival, giving some respite from the daily struggles they face.

Aside from the interviews, Oxyana features some stunning visuals, including sweeping landscape shots, weathered homes, and deserted streets. The cinematography is gritty, raw, and evocative, complementing the film's dark theme perfectly.

In essence, Oxyana is a powerful and heartbreaking look at the human cost of the opioid epidemic. It's a devastating portrait of a forgotten community struggling to survive amidst a crippling addiction crisis. The film serves as a wake-up call, demanding policymakers to take action and address the root causes of addiction and poverty. What's most striking about Oxyana is that it's not just a story confined to a small town in West Virginia. It's a stark reminder of the devastating impact addiction can have on any community, anywhere.

Overall, Oxyana is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the opioid epidemic and its far-reaching consequences. It's a difficult and emotional film to watch, but it's also a necessary one. Dunne's expert direction and the film's honest portrayal of the tragedy faced by the town's inhabitants make it an essential documentary that should be seen by everyone.

Oxyana is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.