October 10, 2003
By Smita Mitra
DesiTalk News, India

Documentary ‘Addict: Racing for Recovery…’ set for release Nov. 6

NEW DELHI: A documentary film ‘Addict: Racing for Recovery, The Todd Crandell Story’ will be released in New York on Nov. 6.

According to some studies of minority groups, there is a significant incidence of alcoholism among South Asian American adolescents and experts speak of a persistent problem of denial.

‘Addict..,’ shot on digital video, is directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Hofbauer from Toledo, Ohio, and produced jointly by Hofbauer and associate producer Deb Halinski of Cleveland, Ohio.

It was shot over a period of a year and a half, starting in late spring of 2002. Moving and candid, it examines the life and struggle for sobriety of sportsman Todd Crandell, from birth to present day. The scope of the film covers his childhood, the failed promise of a hockey career, his descent into the abyss of drug and alcohol addiction and his climb to independence. It also looks at his participation in the Ironman Triatholons’ grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run.

The film features interviews with family members, Crandell’s high school hockey coach, retired professional hockey player Patrick Jablonski, friends and Crandell himself telling this amazing and riveting story of his fall and rise.

In this documentary we are also introduced to Racing for Recovery, Crandell’s nonprofit organization, whose mission is to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse. The film had its first public screening on Sept. 20 this year at the Franciscan Theater and Conference Center at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio.