Phil Rees spent nearly six months exploring the underworld of London’s business in illegal drugs. The film focuses on the use of the recreational drugs cocaine, ecstasy & marijuana. Most television and journalism concentrates on the 10% of drug users who use rehab and have little to lose by speaking openly. Those who use recreational drugs can lose their jobs and be blighted – hence the hypocrisy and fear and the difficulty of breaking into the scene with a camera.
The dealers were drawn from different walks of life – many had degrees. One man became a dealer when he lost his job in a marketing company the week after he took out a mortgage and a car loan. He realized that by working for ‘Dial a Gram’, he could earn over £1000/week. It was a business like delivering pizza. I was also told of the cover stories the dealers have; one Chinese man had a take away with him at all times with the drugs hidden under the Chow mien. Another had a motorcycle pretending to do ‘the knowledge’
The film was described by the Evening Standard (4.1.05) as “Fascinating stuff – for drug dealers and non-users alike”. It was “disturbing but compelling” according to the Financial Times (4.1.05). The Independent on Sunday (9.1.05) described the documentary as “observation not incitement, demonstrating how prevalent this trade has become in our capital. And for my licence fee, it was worthwhile.”
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