REVIEW - Everlasting Steps: The Path to Healing (Directed by Arthur James)

Everlasting Steps: The Path to Healing is a powerful documentary exploring the rising rates of substance use and addiction within indigenous communities in America, as well as the higher prevalence within this demographic, and the fact that Native Americans suffer alcohol-related deaths at a rate of three times that of the general American population.

A 5ECHOS production, directed by winner of the 2020 award for Best International First-Time Filmmaker at the Venice Shorts Film Awards, Arthur James (The Church Up Peaky Road, The Sounds She Knows) and produced in association with Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC), which provides health and wellness services to the Kumeyaay Nation and the surrounding communities, to bring awareness to addiction prevention and harm reduction strategies; this documentary promises to be educational and informative from the off and no time at all is wasted in setting out the seriousness of the issue at hand - and the opening of the film is very much aimed at drawing the viewer's attention to this.

The opening is deliberately impactful, set over drone footage of an intense, beautiful and moody American landscape, showcasing a stunning vista of the rugged terrain, with lingering mist or low cloud casting darkness over the land below, while emotive epithets deliver starkly and confrontingly, some rather hard facts:

"Native Americans had the HIGHEST drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021."

"Native Americans suffer alcohol-related deaths over THREE TIMES the rate of the general American population."

"While more likely to need alcohol or drug use treatment, ONLY 3.5% of Native Americans actually receive any."

"This continues to be a DEADLY problem."

Stark and hard-hitting, but it's intended to be. We are then introduced to Bobby Wallace from the Barona Band of Mission Indians. Bobby recounts his own story, detailing how his parents were both users, and how this ultimately influenced his own personal journey, from an introduction in his childhood and being surrounded by adults who normalised it.

Erica Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village of California describes how a combination of poverty and childhood trauma were key contributory factors in her own relationship with alcohol, before going to detail the challenges she had in taking control over it.

Next we hear from Blue Eagle Vigil, from the Veijas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who describes how, when he was growing up, he saw the adults in his household immersed in a culture of partying, and he wanted to be just like them; but all the partying came at a cost, and Blue Eagle Vigil also describes seeing his uncle and father both spend time in prison. Ultimately, though this wasn't enough to deter him from making "lots of bad decisions" of his own.

Kassandra Mason LMFT, Behavioral Health Director of SIHC, then talks about some of the challenges and barriers which can prevent users from seeking help, including the stigma around drug use and addiction, and the associated risk of being penalised or discriminated against for being a user or addict.

Our talking heads then give testimony which offers light at the end of the tunnel and hope to other people who may face similar problems, detailing some of the adaptive coping strategies and healthy lifestyle choices they have used to help regain control over their drug use, and ultimately over their lives; meditation, exercise, friendship and connection to others, constructive use of time, making memories, faith, spirituality, music, nature, and love to name but a few.

MegaFlix Film Awards jury member, Tim Whittard, also a former psychiatric nurse and lecturer of mental health nursing who has written on the subjects of health inequalities, drug use, and the stigmatisation of addiction and mental illness said: "Arthur James has done a stellar job of letting the experts tell the story themselves. This is a raw and honest examination of a problem which clearly needs a lot more attention, and 'Everlasting Steps: The Path to Healing' is an inspiring short which can only serve to help this cause. Well constructed, James has clearly paid attention to getting the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking right at every point, so that nothing detracts or distracts from the core narrative and message."

This film is likely to be enjoyed by people with an interest in mental health, addiction, and recovery. Healthcare professionals will also get something out of this, as will people with their own habits or addictions, who may derive hope from hearing about the successes of those featured in this film, and perhaps may be inspired or motivated to make some positive changes for themselves.

8/10.