“What’s worse than being invisible? Being seen as disposable.”
Director Ryan Lacen, with the help of 7 system-impacted women with a history of substance use, wrote the screenplay for All The World Is Sleeping in a unique collaboration that was facilitated by the non-profit Bold Futures. You always hear people in the industry say that they never really know the kind of film that’s going to work; it’s a mixture of magic and a miracle when a film feels as impactful as the creators meant for it to be. All The World Is Sleeping feels like magic in a bottle, it’s the kind of film that you feel in your spirit and it will take me weeks to shake off what I felt while watching it.
The film, which stars Melissa Barrera (Vida, In The Heights, Scream 6), follows Chama; who despite her best efforts is struggling to break the cycle of generational substance use in her family. We see her get her child taken away from her, we see as she tries to get clean while every door closes in her face and we watch her go through withdrawals alone in her room as she clings to the sliver of hope still left in her body. It’s a difficult watch, Ryan Lacen doesn’t shy away from showing the ugly, broken, and painful but he also ensures that he presents this story with no judgment. At a time when the world has lost so much of our empathy, this film forces you to open your mind and feel for the things that you may not fully understand. He brings humanity into the nuanced and often misinterpreted conversation around addiction.
I have closely followed Melissa Barrera’s career since I fell in love with her performance in Vida. Her filmography is so diverse that it’s a treat when you stumble upon one of her projects; you never know what kind of journey you’re about to go on and that’s the gift that comes with being a fan of her work. Her performance as Chama feels cathartic and raw which at times almost makes you feel like you’re watching a documentary. Melissa leads her performance with her heart which makes for a very emotional watching experience. It’s no surprise to find out that she worked closely with the 7 women involved in creating this film, their stories run through her in a very real and grounded way. Melissa allows herself to be completely vulnerable on the screen, which is a testament to the kind of environment that Ryan Lacen created during that 16-day shooting schedule.
Though this is very clearly a story about addiction, it’s not the main character here. Unfortunately, the conversation often lacks it, but this film humanizes addiction in a way that forces you to remember that addicts have families, friends, goals, and trauma that all contributed to the issue. He gives you a full picture of the many things that often contribute to the system of addiction. Ryan Lacen gives you a glimpse into the life that sometimes comes after the hopes and the dreams fall apart.
I felt this movie in my heart and you can too; All The World Is Sleeping premieres simultaneously On Demand and in select theaters on March 17.
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