A 17-year-old filmmaker said his documentary short, which premiered May 2, seeks to unmask the growing epidemic of teen prescription drug abuse.
“Out of Reach” – created by teenager Cyrus Stowe with director Tucker Capps, who is known for A&E’s “Intervention” – premiered May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Soho House in West Hollywood.
Stowe, who lives in Dallas, said he was surprised to find out that his friends were abusing and taking drugs.
“I know that if I was an older, much more successful documentarian, then they are not going to give me the same answers that they gave me,” Stowe said.
Being a teenager worked to his advantage, he said, allowing him to show another side of drug abuse.
“It’s a different end of the spectrum to hear that medicine is being abused,” Stowe said.
He said he believes parents will take away more from the film than his fellow students.
“It’s a big deal because parents have no idea it is happening,” Stowe said. “I hope it opens adults’ eyes more.”
Stowe’s work has been shown at the Dallas International Film Festival, the Genart Film Festival, and via DrugFree.org.
