Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Foundation attends Tribeca premiere of ‘Clean Hands’
Across the country, thousands of parents are trying to support their child struggling with addiction. Clean Hands — a film about a father torn between fighting the war on drugs at work and fighting for his own daughter's addiction at home — tells that story.
The Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (LDR) Foundation attended the premiere of Clean Hands at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 7. Written and directed by Jake Allyn, the film is based on the true story of Kevin and Brooke Simmers. Kevin leads a task force in Hagerstown, Maryland, a major stop on the Heroin Highway. At home, he's a father confronting his 19-year-old daughter Brooke's escalating addiction, from pain medication to heroin.
The film premiered to a full house, followed by a Q&A with Jake Allyn and cast members Zach Braff and Abigail Spencer.
Robert De Niro and Drena De Niro, Leo’s grandfather and mother, then took the stage together to deliver closing remarks.
“Nothing can bring Brooke back, but her life can be the inspiration to help others,” Drena says. “That’s how I felt about Leo. My heart will never heal but there may be something we can do to spare other young people and families from this tragedy.”
The film was made in partnership with Brooke's House, the recovery home for women that Brooke Simmers founded and now runs in Hagerstown. Women in recovery there were brought onto the production to learn film jobs, and a third of the movie's profits are dedicated back to the home.
Following its premiere, Vertical acquired North American distribution rights, meaning the film will reach audiences well beyond the festival.
“The Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Foundation will not only help others avoid the heartbreak we’ve experienced, but also to create more pathways towards healing, recovery, and hope for young people and their families,” says Robert De Niro.
Donate here to help us support grassroots organizations funding treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, and prevention for people affected by substance use disorder.
