Watch: Exclusive first look at ‘Chemsex’ documentary
“It gave me the confidence I never had – I felt like a porn star.”“There’s something about our relationship to our sex that’s causing harm – and that needs addressing.”Chemsex:
the name given to the rising phenomenon which refers to the use of drugs in a sexual context. Often referring to group sex that can last for days, the allure of chemsex has lead to many young men being trapped in a vicious circle of sex, addiction and dependence.
A powerful and potent new documentary film tells the stories of gay men whose lives have been affected by the crisis; from self-confessed ‘slammers’ to sexual health workers, from those who deny there’s a problem to those who ‘got out alive’. Offering unprecedented access, Chemsex is a brave and unflinching journey in to the dark underworld of modern, urban gay life.
The film is directed by VICE’s Will Fairman and Max Gogarty, and released in partnership with award-winning indie distributor Peccadillo Pictures. Attitude has an exclusive first look at the trailer, which you can watch below – viewer discretion is advised:
With unprecedented access to chemsex parties and the NHS’s only chemsex support clinic, 56 Dean Street, the film seeks to understand the complex issues at the heart of this story, such as internalised shame, cycles of self-destruction and redemption.
Statistics in a chemsex study from 2014 by 56, Dean Street Clinic – a specialist chemsex support clinic in London – showed that 3,000 gay men had used recreational drugs access to their services each month. 70% reported no ‘chem-free’ sex in the previous six 6 months and 98% had never accessed statutory drug use support.
“VICE has always endeavoured to explore underreported and complex issues that involve incredible characters and human stories. After vice.com first reported in 2013 on the unprecedented rise in intravenous drug use in London’s gay party scene, we felt that story needed to be explored further,” said Al Brown, Head of Video at VICE.
The film will receive its UK theatrical release on December 4.
