Something for the weekend
Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 12:39 
You Don't Know Nicotine is the second film by director Aaron Biebert on the subject of nicotine and tobacco.
The first was A Billion Lives which had its world premiere in New Zealand in May 2016. I wrote about it numerous times including here, here, here and here.
I admired Biebert's tireless efforts to bring his film to a wider audience but I struggled to warm to it for the same reasons that Joe Jackson mentioned here.
Nevertheless, when Biebert subsequently announced plans for a second documentary, I took notice.
$108,598 was raised via Kickstarter and You Don't Know Nicotine duly went into production a couple of years ago.
Unfortunately, like most films scheduled for release this year, it's been hit by the Covid pandemic.
The world premiere, postponed from the spring, finally took place in September in a giant car park in the director's home city of Milwaukee.
As of yesterday it's now available to rent online (€19.99 for 48 hours' access) so if I get a moment over the weekend I'll watch it and review it.
Alternatively, if you want to see it for yourself, click here.
If I have reservations it's because of hyperbole such as this:
Amidst radical changes in nicotine use globally, one filmmaker’s journey through the confusion & fear leads to a startling discovery about Earth’s most hated stimulant.
Society may be changed forever.
Can a small budget documentary really justify such a big claim?
Pass the popcorn.
Reader Comments (3)
I'm guessing it's about how nicotine is a wonderful life giving healer when smoked in an e-cig, but deadly, dangerous, and murderous to others when smoked in an organic tobacco cigarette.
Anyone who can push the untruth that smokers are killing a billion lives is not someone who is going to make a fair film about smoking or smokers but rather lining up another attack on us to win favour and support for his product of choice while sticking his boot into ours.
What did you think? Curious about your honest take on this one.
Hi Aaron, I watched it with interest with the intention of writing a review. I have drafted something based on my initial reaction (and notes) but I'd like to watch it a second time before committing anything to print.
To be honest, I’m not very good at reviewing films (or books) so if I don't publish anything on the blog I'll drop you a private note when I get a moment in the next week or so.