Brenda

• Watchlist

An Irish story about tragic final day of a young mother addicted to heroin, seen through the idealistic eyes of her eight year old daughter. Brenda idolises her Mammy and would do anything to protect her. For Brenda, the biggest threat to her mother's well-being is her violent, unpredictable Daddy. Consumed by addiction, Daddy is loud, aggressive and has lost his way in life. But Daddy wasn't always like that. Brenda misses the day's they would spend together and do something fun. Instead, she spends her day's hoping he won't beat up Mammy. But now Brenda wishes her Mammy had a new boyfriend so then Daddy wouldn't hurt her anymore. But until that day, Brenda will literally do anything to protect her Mammy and that includes lying to her father. Mammy has been on a methadone treatment program the past four years. Not long after beginning the program she separated from Daddy as their relationship deteriorated. Fast forward three years and life is tough for Mammy, especially with no support in her life. Every time she gets close to a new partner, Daddy ends up scaring him away. Daddy introduced Mammy to heroin when they were teenagers. Even after the birth of Brenda they continued to use. Daddy has been clean ever since he went on the methadone programme. He didn't want to separate from Mammy but knew it was the right decision. But Daddy has been hearing rumours that Mammy is mixing with the wrong crowd again. He has a feeling she not taking her methadone and is back on heroin. Daddy would love nothing better than to have custody of Brenda. He knows he needs to catch Mammy in the act. Brenda shows the disastrous effects of a family torn apart from drug addiction.