STAY AWAKE

Film Information

Writer/Director Jamie Sisley will join the audience for a Q&A following the 7:30 p.m. screening of STAY AWAKE on Friday, June 23.

A quietly powerful look at the ripple effects of opioid addiction, STAY AWAKE explores addiction from the lesser-seen viewpoint of the caretakers–in this case teenaged brothers (Wyatt Oleff, Fin Argus). Their mother (Chrissy Metz) is loving and well-meaning but powerless to pull herself out of the destructive cycle of her disease. The boys must put their dreams on the backburner as they’re constantly discovering their mom passed out, dragging her to the hospital, and encouraging to go to rehab–with the possibility of relapse always lingering. Anchored by three superb performances, STAY AWAKE finds surprising humor and humanity amid the tragedy of parental addiction.

The themes and characters in Stay Awake mean the world to me since they’re based on my childhood. My mom has fought an addiction to prescription drugs and opioids for most of her life. As teens, my brother and I tried our best to aid her through relapses, cycle her through treatment centers, and encourage her to seek out a sober lifestyle.

When I first started watching films about addiction, I realized that most were from the point of view of the addict.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to make Stay Awake was to offer an alternative POV to addiction—the roller coaster ride that caretakers go on while helping someone they love through their disease. In many ways, this film is a love letter to the caretaker.

I also noticed that most films depicted addicts in ways that villainized them. I understand that perspective—I had similar thoughts about my mom while growing up. As I grew older though, I realized that addiction was a disease. Nobody chooses to be an addict. Looking back, I wish I saw the humanity in addicts represented more, as I think it would have helped me understand my mom better. For the film, I hope people will empathize with Michelle instead of demonize her.

Lastly, I hope this film offers a touch of levity to a subject that can oftentimes feel bleak. Humor has always provided me and my brother with a remedy against terrible situations. Sometimes all you can do is laugh at how truly messed up life can get, especially when you’re a teenager. I think it’s a miracle any of us get through our teenage years in one piece. Plus, tough situations can create beautiful outcomes. The relationship I have with my family remains incredibly close, and I doubt it would be the same had we not gone through our mom’s addiction together.

The themes behind this story are the reasons why I pursued filmmaking in the first place. My hope is that now more than ever, Stay Awake will help challenge the way people think about addiction—especially its impact on families and caretakers.