Artist Nan Goldin on Addiction and Exposing the Sackler Deadly Dynasty

VIDEO – ARTIST/ACTIVIST IN EVERY WAY –

Dec. 4, 2022 – Poitras deftly weaves Goldin’s activism into the bigger story of her life and art, including the rawly intimate photographic projects such as The Ballad of Sexual Dependency and Sisters, Saints and Sibyls, that reflect how deeply the two are intertwined. From the off, her photography drew directly on her life and her circle of friends: bohemians, transexuals, addicts and fellow self-made artists in her native Boston and later in New York. Her style, often described as diaristic, has been enormously influential and made her one of the world’s most famous photographers, whose work now resides in prestigious museums and collections around the world.

Goldin’s anti-Sackler campaign was already well under way, and being documented by an assistant, when Poitras came on board in 2019. “A producer said to me, ‘If you want this to be seen, you need a name director,’” explains Goldin. “He put me in touch with Laura and it was a good call, even though it was hard at times for me and her to work together. We’re two strong women who are not used to anyone saying no to them. It was difficult at times, but we’re still friends.”