This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Adam Juresko) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Welcome Vinegar Syndrome Labs (VSL) to the VS Sub-Label family! As with each of our sub-labels we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome.
John Spacely, known on the streets as Gringo, has spent much of his life selling - and using - drugs, mostly heroin. Since relocating from his native California to the Lower East Side of New York, Gringo has gained a group of steady customers for the dope he sells, amongst them musicians and actors and, in the process, has also developed a reputation as a colorful street character; hanging out amongst the dilapidated environs of Lower Manhattan. But with his own drug habit starting to get the better of him, Gringo must challenge himself not to end up on an even darker path, from which there may be no way back.
An unflinching study of addiction from multi-award winning documentarian, Lech Kowalski, STORY OF A JUNKIE (originally titled Gringo) stars Spacely as a semi-fictionalized version of himself, mixing staged interactions with grim documentary realism. Filmed entirely on location, and featuring a supporting cast of Gringo's real life friends and customers, Vinegar Syndrome Labs presents the Blu-ray debut of this remarkably human document not just of the long-gone punk counterculture on the Lower East Side, but of the fascinating and colorful personalities who populated it..
directed by: Lech Kowalski
starring: John Spacely
1985 / 79 min / 1.33:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.5348835 / 5 from 129 reviews.
Story of a Junkie is a limited edition Blu-ray release that offers an authentic portrayal of drug culture and addiction in 1980s New York City. Customers appreciate the realistic look, compelling storytelling, and engaging bonus content. It serves as a time capsule of the era, with strong recommendations from viewers.
Review topics: ["looks","feel","packaging","piece","film","movie","release","watch","documentary","transfer","viewing","characters","addiction","soundtrack","capsule","restoration","slipcover","features","side","interviews","person","streets","junkies","story","title","portrayal","nyc","addition","flick","snapshot"].
"I wasn’t disgusted by needles until I saw this movie. And I’ve seen Trainspotting multiple times. It's a tough watch but the 4K scan brings out details in the film grain that make it feel even more grody. I feel like I’ve seen the main character in that punk club in after hours I can’t tell if it’s a cameo or just coincidence"
"This enjoyable drama is a snapshot of its time! It is an enjoyable watch and well worth buying! The peerless VS restoration transfer process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"If you feel you'll need to take a shower, do so. Heartfelt time capsule of a drug addict who goes about his day in an environment that I wouldn't be caught in even if they paid me a million dollars. Troma released this back in the day? Very atypical of their usual fare but worth it. VS does the docudrama proud with the usual bells & whistles."
"Scuzzy mid 80's New York documentary about a junkie. Not one for the popcorn movie night but definitely one to challenge you on a quieter movie evening. Good transfer too."
"This film is intense. It doesn't glorify the junkie lifestyle, but brings you along for a spell. John Spacely was a junkie. He wasn't the only one involved in the production, but you will see people shooting up heroin here. Spacely, was friends, of sorts, with Johnny Thunders, and is the harp player documented as scrapping with Johnny on stage during a performance, but also playing along side Cheeta Chrome at Johnny's memorial show in 1991. He was also friends with Sid Vicious. John Spacely contracted HIV, most likely from sharing needles, and died in 1993 from AIDS. The narrative should hopefully dispel anyone who would or may otherwise glorify the lifestyle of characters portrayed here. The authentic feel, though, is because of the authenticity. This release looks and sounds pretty good, and the are some good extras. The slipcover has the same cover art, but the gloss makes it look pretty sweet."
"so many drugs , so sad but cool. great cinematography. good doco."
"A dark documentary from Troma Films. I collect anything Troma usually and this film is a welcome addition. The tale of a drug addict with a great soundtrack. Highly recommended! Packaging and presentation are excellent."
"What a surprise this movie was, and coming from Troma? It's even better!! The transfer is fantastic and the soundtrack is marvelous. A mix of docu drama that gets in your guts right from the beginning."
"Very interesting portrait of a time and place that no longer exists; I only wish it were longer considering how much footage was shot. Beautiful restoration."
"This film has a cool slipcover. It has some great interviews and feels authentic to the time and place it was made. The drama comes from the everyday life of a drug addict in 1980s New York. Worth it if you like movies such as Trainspotting."
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