Chemtrail: The Journey will bring four personal stories of chemsex and recovery to the big screen in Shoreditch.
Impulse London is hosting the screenings on November 7 and 8 at 2pm, with the film focusing on the challenges people face and different paths towards recovering from drug abuse through the lived experiences of Ben, Pank, Declan, and Matthew.
Chemsex, also known as chems, chill parties, or HnH, is the practice of taking psychoactive drugs in order to facilitate, enhance, and prolong sexual activity.
Pank, a HIV and sexual health specialist who features in the film, said: “Chemsex is the AIDS epidemic of the 21st century, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself.
“[This documentary] gives a voice to those too often silenced by shame and stigma, exposes the human cost of inaction, and forces a crisis hidden in plain sight into public consciousness.”
Chemtrail: The Journey was brought to life by LGBTQ+ directors and producers John Reavy and Jordi Estapé Montserrat who wanted to create a documentary that approached the topic with “sensitivity and respect”.
Each screening will be followed by a talk exploring themes raised in the documentary, with tickets priced at £5 (or pay what you can), and all proceeds going towards charities Controlling Chemsex and London Friend.
According to charity Aidsmap, gay men who engage in chemsex are five times more likely to have a new HIV diagnosis than those who don’t.
Impulse London has also found that many young gay men find themselves attending chemsex parties due to gay loneliness and peer pressure.
Impulse London is the London branch of the global Impulse Group, a volunteer-run nonprofit organisation dedicated to the sexual and mental health of queer men.
Alex Tridico, president of Impulse London said: “By listening to people’s stories in their own words, we can better understand the different routes people took to find support, and we hope to make it easier for others to take that first step.”
The screenings continue Impulse London’s effort to raise awareness, signpost people to support, and keep Queer men in London safe.
The film almost serves as a spiritual successor to Chemtrail: This Is Killing Us, another Impulse event from last year, which used art, photography, and dance to show the physical and mental toll actively engaging in chemsex can take.
Another contributor, Ben Kaye, is a humanistic counsellor and dMSc Psychology student who has both a professional and personal commitment to improving how mainstream drug and alcohol services respond to Queer people affected by chemsex.
He said: “Chemsex and the use of chems can be incredibly complex, and there is never just one reason why someone starts using or continues to use.
“I really hope people can see something of themselves or their own experiences in the film and in those featured and know that they are not alone.”
Impulse London also hopes the screening will encourage people to come forward and sign up to help create supportive spaces for queer men and be part of future projects.
Tickets available on Eventbrite here.
Chemtrail: The Journey: 7 and 8 November, 2pm, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.
Feature image credit: Impulse London
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