#32: "As Prescribed" by Holly Hardman 🇺🇸

Benzotired

November 7th, 2023 In this episode: Holly Hardman, Director/Producer of the documentary As Prescribed. Her personal episode is featured on Benzotired episode #20. Holly speaks openly about making the film and using it for Benzodiazepine harm awareness and change. Holly Hardman entered the media field as a researcher and worked for Rolling Stone, PBS, and Twentieth Century Fox in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Hardman began writing, directing, and producing short films. She also developed CFS/ME and was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam) as part of her healing regimen. She recovered from CFS, but was encouraged by her doctor to continue taking Klonopin. Having recovered from CFS, and in response to the political climate at the time, Hardman shifted to the documentary form, directing and producing her first documentary feature Good People Go to Hell, Saved People Go to Heaven (IDFA 2012). Hardman has been a guest speaker at universities and museums. Looking back Hardman recalls living with ongoing and unpredictable disability starting in the early 2000s. After growing concerned about taking Klonopin long-term, she discovered that her mystery symptoms were all due to the adverse effects of Klonopin. She began a 22-month-taper off the drug. While tapering, she began research on a benzodiazepine-focused documentary, and, after finding Matt Samet's Death Grip and content remnants from Geraldine Burns' Yahoo group, she reached out to both about appearing in a new documentary with the working title As Prescribed. As Prescribed, began production in 2014 and filmed over a period of six years. The benzodiazepine community was in great part responsible for helping the film to reach completion -- with generous donations, cooperation, moral support, and open-hearted participation. As Prescribed premiered at Sheffield DocFest (UK) and the Berkshire International Film Festival (US) in June 2022. The Video Project launched the film to the educational/institutional market in October 2023. The film will be available on streamers in spring 2024. Find more information at: https://www.asprescribedfilm.com/