Representation of Drugs

Film and the media represent drugs in very different ways, some exaggerating the truth whilst others sometimes attempt to glamorise recreational use of stimulants. If you compare films, such as the made for television movie Cocaine, One Man's Seduction (1983) to Hollywood blockbusters such as The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) huge contrasts between the representation of drug use can be observed. Although both films show an account of the disruption drugs can cause in someone's life, they both show a very different journey leading to the final devastation of the protagonists lives.
At the time when Cocaine, One Man's Seduction was released on television, some saw this a form of public warning against the use of drugs. Using recreational drugs, particularly cocaine was something that (although had been about for many years prior), became increasingly popular in  the 80s. This was perhaps due to the rise of media coverage and following of celebrities meaning that people were more aware thus intrigued by the drug. The 1983 film was therefore used to show people the reality of using cocaine and the negative effects that were not so commonly recognised.
The Wolf of Wall Street was one of the biggest films of its year, grossing nearly $117m which to some could be a worry as it seems to glamorise the use of drugs. Whilst the film does show the dark and detrimental effects, the narrative moves away from the idea that it is a last resort and suggests that drugs can help in aiding your financial success. Similarly in a lot of modern day comedies like Sex Tape and Horrible Bosses, cocaine use is seen as something to be celebrated and laughed at- the films failing to show the downwards spiral it can lead to.
The 2001 film Blow lies somewhere in between these two other films. In this the overall message seems to be that the highs of drug use are outweighed by the devastating lows.

We will be producing an urban drama which- contrary to other films- will show the harsh, gritty reality of drug use. This is something we hope to present clearly in our trailer, showing the devastating and dark effects that this activity has. As the protagonist will be young and the film will be based in the rundown estates in London, we hope to conform more to the conventions and representations in the social realist genre.