STINKING HEAVEN American Independents

Set in a crumbling home for recovering drug addicts in the early 1990s, the latest American ensemble piece from eclectic micro-budget filmmaker Nathan Silver offers a grimy, grating yet utterly authentic and compassionate character study. Capturing the human spirit dwelling in a cocoon of rock-bottom behavior, Silver’s elliptical narrative weaves around its inhabitants with raw energy and ease, cementing the house itself as its central protagonist. The self-run home for sober living is maintained by a couple who guides the wayward members committed to living well for personal sustainability. When they take on a new member who has a history with a current resident, a self-destructive spiral begins. Anchored by a fearlessly committed cast of unsung indie staples and boldly shot in lo-fi video, Silver’s film is imbued with specificity and resilience. Armed with a signature voice and a singular style, the prolific filmmaker delivers both his ugliest and warmest work yet. — Landon Zakheim