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North Edinburgh Arts presents the first screening for more than 40 years of Heroin, a series of three films by Peter Carr made in North Edinburgh in 1983. Originally shown over successive nights on prime time national UK television, Heroin is an unflinching fly on the wall glimpse at an often forgotten part of Edinburgh’s social history.
As poverty, crime and drug use in Scotland’s capital was ripping forgotten communities apart, Peter Carr was introduced to Edinburgh’s hidden underbelly by co-founder of the Gateway Exchange, Jimmy Boyle. Boyle also introduced Carr to SHADA – Support Help and Advice for Drug Addiction – the grassroots organisation set up by what Carr calls “two remarkable women” – Heather Black and Morag McLean – as a lifeline and support network for drug users. This became the basis of Heroin, which over its three episodes reveals a powerful and moving portrait of a community surviving in the face of institutional neglect and contempt from local authorities who would rather keep it out of view.
After four decades, Peter Carr revisits North Edinburgh for the screenings of his films to take part in a unique event by, for and about North Edinburgh. Each screening will be followed by a conversation between key figures around the making of Heroin and those around North Edinburgh then and now.
- Wed 23 April, 6.30pm-8.30pm: Heroin 1 – followed by Irvine Welsh in conversation with Zoë Black
- Thu 24 April, 6.30pm-8.30pm: Heroin 2 – followed by Dr Roy Robertson in conversation with Victoria Burns
- Fri 25 April, 6.30pm-8.30pm: Heroin 3 – followed by Peter Carr in conversation with Sarah Drummond
Age suitability: 16 +
PRE-SALE FOR NEA ORDINARY MEMBERS RUNS TO 17 MARCH, SEE Become a member FOR ELIGIBILITY AND HOW TO JOIN.
OPEN BOOKINGS FROM 18 MARCH TO 23 APRIL
An exhibition of production images from Heroin by Granada TV stills photographer Stewart Darby runs at North Edinburgh Arts alongside Heroin ‘Uncut’, from April 23 to May 17 2025.A programme for Heroin ‘Uncut’ features a new essay by Peter Carr reflecting on the making of his films alongside Stewart Darby’s images from Heroin.
Heroin ‘Uncut’ is coordinated and produced by Zoë Black, Victoria Burns, Neil Cooper, Sarah Drummond, Graham Fitzpatrick and Kate Wimpress in collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts and Screen Education Edinburgh.
With thanks to Laura Alderman, Alice Betts and Genevieve Kay-Gourlay at North Edinburgh Film Festival, Willie Black, Jimmy Boyle, Morvern Cunningham, Freda Darby and the Darby family, Malcolm Dickson at Street Level Photoworks, Laura Hoffman, Judith Jones and Stephen Kelly at granadaland.org, Jordan at ITV plc, Alan McCredie, Dr. Roy Robertson, Emma Welsh, Irvine Welsh, Bob Winton.
Special thanks to all staff, volunteers and board members of North Edinburgh Arts and Screen Education Edinburgh who made this event happen.
Extra special thanks to Peter Carr.
Heroin was originally produced by Granada Television and screened on the ITV network on November 7th, 8th, and 9th1983. All films and photographs are sole copyright of ITV plc, and are shown under licence.
Heroin ‘Uncut’ is dedicated to the memory of Heather Black, Morag McLean and all those friends, neighbours and loved ones who took part in the Heroin films. Though they may no longer be with us, their stories live on.
Images: Stewart Darby