Documentary on boxer's struggle with addiction to be screened for free in Port Huron
Meridian Health Services will be hosting a free screening of a Michigan filmmaker's documentary about a boxer's struggle with heroin addiction on Wednesday in Port Huron.
"We Can Be Heroes" follows Detroit boxer Taylor Duerr as he fights for a national title while also undergoing recovery treatment for his addiction.
Two screening will be held at McMorran Place Theatre in Port Huron, one for local high school students at 11 a.m. and another for the public at 3 p.m. After the screening there will be a panel discussion with Duerr, producer Mike Ramsdell and substance abuse counselors from Meridian Health.
“Meridian Health Services would like to get people together to knock out the stigma of substance use disorder," Kenneth Briggs, administrator for Meridian Health Services, said in a news release. "This film shows a true example of a individual who led a good fight to recover from his addiction. Every person should see this movie.”
Ramsdell met Duerr by chance at a gym in Brighton in 2018. Ramsdell has produced documentaries including "When Elephants Fight" on war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and "The Anatomy of Hate" on hate-fueled conflicts, and was interested in following Duerr.
The idea behind the film, according to Ramsdell, was to highlight how individuals can overcome addiction. Peter Berg, the famed director of "Friday Night Lights," signed on as executive producer and Rainmaker Content agreed to distribute the film.
In a trailer for the movie, Duerr shares that he's had three near-death experiences from heroin overdoses. His boxing career and his family motivated his recovery.
The filmmaker followed Duerr throughout 2019 and 2020 even as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and forced most people to separate themselves from others.
The two had to adjust as Ramsdell had to make sure his schedule matched Duerr's, who in turn had to adjust to the constant presence of a camera that recorded his private moments and mistakes in the ring.
"He never once asked me to stop, but I could tell it was something he had to get used to," Ramsdell said.
Ramsdell said he chose to focus on Duerr because he thought the boxer defied stereotypes of addicts by succeeding in his career even while he was in recovery.
"A lot of people assume drug addiction makes them weak or lazy. One of the reasons (Duerr) is such a great protagonist is because of how he breaks those stereotypes," he said.
Production on the film was delayed due to the pandemic, but Ramsdell was able to release the film this year and has been hosting screenings across the country, hoping his film can educate viewers about those struggling with substance use disorders.
"Anybody can be a hero because it takes real strength to overcome addiction," Ramsdell said.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Film on boxer's struggle with addiction to be screened for free
