The folks of Oceana, West Virginia love them some OxyContin. In fact, they love it so much, the town’s earned the dismal nickname of “Oxyana.” In his new documentary, screening this week at the Tribeca Film Festival, director Sean Dunne explores the role of the prescription drug problem in this small town. The result is a haunting glimpse at the American dream, collapsed. We caught up with Dunne after a screening Saturday night.
New York Post: So that was kind of disturbing.
Sean Dunne: Yes, it was. I wanted to make it immersive. I wanted to make it a visceral experience, and I didn’t want to sugarcoat this in anyway. I think that we set out with some guiding principles, and one of them was to really pay this subject and these people with the most respect we can. I think sugarcoating this in anyway, we would be putting them at a huge disadvantage.
How did you get the users to agree to be in this?
You know, it really wasn’t that hard. I get that question a lot. We asked, and people opened up to us. It was really special.
Do you think the fact that they were on drugs played any role in them agreeing to be filmed?
Not really because some of the people — that you wouldn’t expect — were clean. But yeah, I don’t think so.
Aren’t they worried about legal ramifications? People are literally doing drugs on screen.
Consequences aren’t really a big thing in the hillbilly culture. I stole that quote from Mike [a dentist and voice of reason in the documentary], who said it this morning. He said it not only has to do with the drug lifestyle, but the hillbilly lifestyle. “Nothing can hurt me.” It’s a very interesting thing, this consequence-free lifestyle.
You live in Greenpoint. What’s a crazier place to live, Greenpoint or Oceana?
Oceana! It’s way more fun too [laughs].
Check out the trailer below. For screening information, click here.