Benjamin Flaherty’s Feature Doc 'Shuffle,' a SXSW Grand Jury Winner, Debuts Theatrical Trailer
Benjamin Flaherty’s 'Shuffle,' which won a grand jury award for best documentary at the recent SXSW, has released a theatrical trailer through Abramorama. The film delves into the dark side of the opioid epidemic, where insurance companies profit from the struggles of 40 million Americans by covering addiction and mental health treatment at the same rate as other medical conditions, without regulations.
Filmed over three years, 'Shuffle' follows three individuals caught in a cycle of insurance-fueled addiction recovery. Patients are funneled to and from rehab facilities, and clients are 'bought and sold' to maximize profits. The participants also include an FBI informant, an insurance analyst, and a former executive director at a Philadelphia-based treatment facility shut down for fraud. Flaherty’s personal connection to the subject matter is evident as the story is told through his own recovery journey.
The trailer's release coincides with the Shuffle team's FYC screenings for voting members in L.A., New York, and London in the coming weeks. Upcoming public screenings include Laemmle Monica Film Center on Nov. 6 (moderated by 'Jacinta' director Jessica Earnshaw), NoHo 7 on Nov. 18 (moderated by 'The Hollywood Reporter’s' Chris Gardner), and London's Curzon Bloomsbury on Dec. 4. On Nov. 20, the Shuffle team will host a nationwide appointment-viewing presentation on Kinema, followed by a live Q&A with Flaherty and investigative reporter Shoshana Walter (of the Marshall Project).
'Shuffle' has garnered other accolades, including a jury award and audience award at the Lighthouse International Film Festival, a jury award for best documentary at the Flyover Film Festival, El Paso Film Festival, and Chagrin Falls Documentary Festival. It also received an impact campaign grant from Evoke Media to support outreach and audience engagement initiatives (visit www.stoptheshuffle.com).
The 81-minute documentary, produced by Avocado Pictures and Bleach Films in association with Low Hanging Fruit Studios and Object & Animal, was produced by Greenberg, Benjamin Flaherty, Scott Paskoff, and Harris Fishman. The executive producer roster includes Flaherty, Justin Benoliel, Carra Greenberg, Erin Malloy, Jon Paskoff, Susan Raiten, Rostam Zafari, Emma Ratcliffe, and Dylan Mulick, with co-producer Erin Malloy and consulting producer Caroline Libresco.
Abramorama will release 'Shuffle' in theaters in North America next year.
