Anonymous

This is a grisly subject and so a film dealing with will be grisly. Not for Christmas fun, but essential viewing for anyone who may know someone with addiction and wish to understand them.

This is not the place to be judgemental, as we see this could easily happen (maybe is happening) to any one of us. We're shown pleasant characters who have a demon, even when we see this demon we see it's engrained further into these people than we imagined.

The 'silent protagonist' as a metaphor for the silent, attractive, feeling of 'right' that is addiction is genius and powerfully portrayed.

An uncomfortable viewing, but essential nonethless (how many continue to watch Seaspiracy etc!) It's something about which we all benefit from being better informed.

From the opening sequence Anonymous shows thats it is not a film that allows you to sit back and be entertained at break-neck speed, but rather a work that requires your attention and engagement.

Anonymous deals with tough issues in a way that is neither judgemental nor sentimental. Instead, it shows us as we all are at times; frail.

To say it was made on a shoestring is an understatement. And how it was made in a couple of weeks in the lockdown shows a steely determination from all involved. An intriuging atmosphere is slowly built up and its the portayal of flawed but real characters, within a minimal setting that allows the story to unfold slowly and purposefully. With the Man, was there a nod to Albert Camus' La Peste (The Plague)?

Winner of the 2021 The East Europe International Film Festival.

Well shot and lit film, amazing to hear it was made on a tight budget in a week during lockdown. Interweaving character stories around the topic of addiction are well cast and acted. Mysterious protagonist leads us through the sensitive material.

Although the pace of the film felt slow, this was replaced and recognised as a necessity.

The intenseness and variety of addictions required the watcher to take time to absorb the content and power of the different addictions and the energy to overcome the addictions.

The lead actor at first seemed 'what the' his portrayal of his addiction which is never stated but could well be a greater movie trailer for an Agatha Christie thriller kept you in your toes.

The interaction between the characters was intense and almost violating as you were challenged by the dark side of life. There are people who are not as perfect as us and if we are honest many of us are just as addicted and just as powerless to break out of that which we allow to control us.

I find the script, camera angles and all the behind the scene stuff to add to the violation in my perfectness to challenge me.

This film is not just another 'mental health' doco but a tool and resource to show what is happening behind the facade that is projected to the world by all of us. Let's be as real as this film is.

Thank you Alasdair for challenging my sensibilities to the point of being scared and needing to deal with my own addictions.

At a time when lots of people are struggling with their drinking, Anonymous paints a fairly accurate depiction of a 12 step meeting where the characters are able reveal their inner struggles and traumas that have led them to addiction. With some powerful and skilful performances and acutely observed script writing, the film shows that with acceptance and group strength there is hope in recovery by sharing.