The Fix

Shedding light on hepatitis C through the experiences of one man, Laura Naylor's documentary centers on Junior, a 34-year-old recovering drug addict who lives in the Bronx and longs to be a good father. Junior's mother, Aida, describes him as a “sweetheart person.” During the 15 years he spent using heroin and crack, Junior developed hepatitis C, and his addiction cost him his relationship with his first daughter, a teenager now living in Portugal. Junior currently resides in a shelter with his wife and their daughter and Naylor spends a year with him as he undergoes treatment at a methadone clinic. Dr. Roose, a clinic worker, explains that hepatitis C is common among drug users, while Roose's colleague, Dr. Litwin, says that the chronic progressive illness is “poorly understood” (since 2007, it has killed more people than AIDS). In addition to Junior, Naylor profiles two other trial participants: Ivan, who spent 35 years as an addict, and Collette, who suffers from hepatitis C and AIDS. “I didn't even look at the future back then,” she says about her days on drugs, “I lived totally in the moment.” During filming, Ivan, Collette, and Junior also train to become peer counselors, and participate in a storytelling workshop. “I finally feel needed” says Junior. At a reading in Soho, natural-born storyteller Junior recounts the harrowing journey he took from New York to Houston and back on his road toward sobriety. An inspiring documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)