A film made in Athens was inspired by the director's real experiences with drug addiction
Just because Athens is now home to a world-class multi-million dollar production facility doesn't mean that smaller-scale independent movies aren't still being made all around town.
The Classic City has a long history tied to the film business, and the local creative class continues to inspire, support and produce one-of-a-kind cinema like Aaron Strand's "Withdrawal."
Currently in post-production, Strand's feature-length drama wasn't just filmed in Athens. The story is partially based on things that the writer-director experienced during his time as a local resident, and though the plot is a work of fiction, the subject matter it depicts is heartbreakingly real.
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Filmed in 2023, "Withdrawal" centers on Viv (Millie Rose Evans), a young singer-songwriter whose heroin addiction threatens to destroy her dreams of a music career and her romance with Jay (Brent Michal), who is also an addict. Caleb (Julian Green), Viv's ex-boyfriend, is a lawyer who is still in love with her and struggles to understand her dangerous lifestyle.
"Withdrawal" is set in Athens, where Strand and his family moved when he was 11 years old. Strand attended Athens Academy, where he first fell in love with movies by way of his Godzilla fandom. The filmmaker's first attempt at directing a feature in Athens happened in 2016, but Strand told the Banner-Herald that things didn't exactly go according to plan.
"I didn't really know what I was doing and I didn't know how to end the story," recalled Strand. "Thirty people volunteered to help me with it and I edited it for like a year and a half, but I realized that I did not have a movie. It was one of the most devastating feelings that I've ever felt, but it taught me a lot of lessons, and I was champing at the bit to do it again."
Now an Atlanta resident, Strand returned to Athens last year to make "Withdrawal," a completely fictionalized tale of star-crossed lovers that is inspired by Strand's own experiences with drug addiction. Strand, who has been sober for more than a decade, filmed scenes for the movie at the Wild Rumpus Parade and the night before the first Georgia Bulldogs home game of the 2023 season.
The opening of "Withdrawal" was shot entirely at Flicker Theater & Bar, where the production staged an entire open mic show complete with a live band. Strand told the Banner-Herald that making the movie in Athens proved to be therapeutic, helped him to understand his own experience, and left him feeling hopeful that it will make a positive impact on viewers who might have gone through similar circumstances.
"I wanted to film ("Withdrawal") in Athens because Athens was the place that picked me up when I was down," said Strand. "I love this town. I love all the energy about it, and I think that there are many stories to be told here. I truly believe that Athens can be a defining place on the independent film landscape of America."
"Withdrawal" is expected to be released in early 2025 and is currently seeking funds to complete post-production. For details and to view scenes from the movie, visit seedandspark.com/fund/withdrawal.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Independent drama 'Withdrawal' was filmed in Athens
