THR’S GUIDE TO OSCAR’S TOP DOCS
IDA DOCUMENTARY AWARDS UNVEILS 2023 SHORTLISTS FOR BEST FEATURES, SHORTS
THE ROAD TO OSCAR DOCUMENTARY SHORTLIST REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST MONEY FOR MOST
– Variety
“ONE OF THE MOST MOVING DOCUMENTARIES OF ALL TIME.”
“YOU CANNOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENTARY.”
“SEARING, ACHINGLY PERSONAL…An impressive feat of editing.”
“A FULL-ON CINEMATIC DISQUISITION on the terrible, rippling side effects and consequences of the pharmaceutical industry’s greed, which in turn reflects capitalistic rapaciousness more broadly."
"SHOCKING, UPSETTING, MADDENING AND NECESSARY."
“Jamie Boyle’s INCREDIBLE documentary explores the deception and corruption that created the opioid crisis while at the same time showing A POWERFUL PORTRAIT of a family that gets lost in the never ending cycle of addiction. It’s A MASTERFULLY TOLD PERSONAL JOURNAL THAT IS BOTH INSIGHTFUL AND DEEPLY MOVING.”
– Danny Strong, Creator/Director of DOPESICK
“AN AUTHENTICITY AND PERSONAL INVESTMENT THAT FEW FILMS ON THIS SUBJECT COULD MATCH.”
“AN ARTFUL, SEARING PORTRAYAL of how ordinary people were deluded and betrayed and pushed to addiction. THIS FILM IS NOT EASILY FORGOTTEN”
“The most powerful documentaries often make the world’s largest crises feel emotionally personal and ANONYMOUS SISTER is no exception. Reminiscent of Garrett Bradley's TIME, this film is UNRELENTING AND SHOULDN’T BE MISSED."
“BOYLE PROVES A MASTERFUL EDITOR of her archival treasure trove, manipulating time to walk us backwards and forwards through the highs and lows of family history. Dedicated to everyone who did not survive, ANONYMOUS SISTER reminds us at every turn to hold the perpetrators accountable."
“EMPATHY EVIDENT IN EVERY SCENE”
"REFUSES PURDUE PHARMA THE COMFORTABLE LUXERY OF DISTANCE for their role in destroying families like Boyle’s. In a culture which views addiction as a wilful abnegation of life, Boyle’s documentary shines a light on people who desperately want to live. SEARINGLY VISCERAL, ITS BRILLIANCE LIES IN ITS FAMILIAL INTIMACY AND LIVED-IN CLOSENESS.”
"The OPENNESS, FRANKNESS AND COMPASSION of this film could inspire more people to honesty, empathy, and action. Boyle ensures that we have some sense of the long, fatal scope of this human-made and greed-maintained epidemic. The stories are countless, but here is one to make us consider the rest."
“RAW, POIGNANT, AND DEEPLY PERSONAL.”
"TURNING PERSONAL PAIN INTO ART OF VALUE is a tale as old as time. However, director Jamie Boyle handles her trauma with AN UNFLINCHING EYE that few directors would feel comfortable revealing. The resulting film is a response to the Sackler discourses of the past decade, forcing the audience to see the humanity in the epidemic."
“There is so much to learn from ANONYMOUS SISTER…There’s a story behind every addict, and ANONYMOUS SISTER tells that story BEAUTIFULLY through the family’s own eyes, words, and actions.”
“AN INTIMATE LOOK AT WHO WE SEE AT THE HEART OF ADDICTION.”
– NPR
“ANONYMOUS SISTER draws its strength from emotional truth, from the human face. It’s AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF WORK, ONE YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS.”
“INTIMATE AND VULNERABLE”
“INTENSELY PERSONAL”
DOC NYC documentary film festival returns: Check out these highlights” – CBS News
“DOC NYC 2021 Women Directors: Meet Jamie Boyle – ANONYMOUS SISTER” – Women & Hollywood
“DOC NYC Fest Gets Underway, Throwing Heat Behind a Bevy of Awards Hopefuls” – Variety
“I was quick to just push her out of my life honestly and now I regret it. Try to understand what they’re going through because I didn’t understand addiction, honestly, until this film.” - Tessa Carter (Younger sister of Kayla Carter, who passed away in 2020 and is featured in ANONYMOUS SISTER), Live Event
“A beautiful, artful portrait. Corporate greed. An unsuspecting family. A real punch in the gut.” - Jason Egge, Letterboxd
“Heartbreaking. A gut punch. The collapse of a dream and a heart full of grief calcified into a pulsing ache that capitalism preyed upon ruthlessly. This is so soulful, so important, so full of love. Love, love, always love.” - Letterboxd Review
“Powerful” - J Motts, Letterboxd
“We live in such a broken world and this was a beautiful picture of that heartbreak.” - Bailey, Letterboxd
“Does a fantastic job balancing telling the family's personal story parallel with the opioid crisis as a whole. Very touching, well-made doc.” - Keegan Hewlett, Letterboxd
“I watched online and watching again tomorrow with my husband - I am moved by the sincere openness of the family and the on-point filmmaking of the universal heartbreaking themes of this opioid epidemic and struggle - I am angry, so angry…it is so special to bear witness to the intimacy that only comes with trust within a family unit.” - Ondrea Barbe, Social Media
“Harrowing” - Kenny Miles, Letterboxd
“An excellent documentary and social impact campaign. A very powerful story and message.” - Cathy Melfi, Social Media
“Saw your movie today at Milwaukee Film Festival. So many emotions…So very powerful. I will be thinking about this film and your family for a long time." - Jill Patty, Social Media
“Outstanding. I've seen several opioid docs and yours -by far- is the best. I believe millions of Americans with family members hooked on prescription drugs will easily relate. And the film may help pain patients on opioids gain insight.” - Dr. Andrew Kolodny, Director of Opioid Policy Research at Brandeis University, Director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing
“I want to share a few words on the impact that this film is having already and is going to have. A story of greed. A story of tragedy. And finally, a story that Jamie lived and that doesn’t get told enough." - Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Live Event