Michigan Filmmaker Brings We Can Be Heroes Documentary to Port Huron

Port Huron, Mich – Overcoming addiction can be a long road and Michigan filmmaker Mike Ramsdell shares the struggle and success of Detroit area professional boxer Taylor Duerr in his new documentary We Can Be Heroes. The film will be shown free of charge at the McMorran Place Theatre on November 7 at 3 p.m., thanks to a donation and the participation of Meridian Health Services. A panel featuring Ramsdell, Duerr and Meridian Health substance abuse counselors will follow the 3 p.m. showing.

Ramsdell’s We Can Be Heroes documentary, with Peter Berg (Chicago Hope, Wonderland, Friday Night Lights) serving as executive director, follows the story of Detroit’s own Taylor “Machine Gun” Duerr as he fights his way to a national boxing title inside the ring while fighting the demons of his addiction and his battle with recovery and stigma outside the ring.

“Addiction affects all members of a community. Its stigma is the number one obstacle we face in treating this epidemic. By breaking down the walls of that perceived stigma through community dialogue, we know that those who need help are more likely to seek it, and those who can help are more likely to offer it,” Ramsdell said. “We’re grateful and honored that Meridian sees the benefit in promoting this as a community conversation.”

“Meridian Health Services would like to get people together to knock out the stigma of substance use disorder. This film shows a true example of an individual who led a good fight to recover from his addiction. Every person should see this movie.” Says Kenneth Briggs of Meridian.

Last year 107,000 people in the United States died from substance use disorder, the highest number in U.S. history. “Mike’s goal was to make a film that helped everyone understand addiction isn’t just about celebrities and homeless people,” Duerr said. “It can be anyone, and it doesn’t just affect the person with the disease; it rips the whole family and community apart.”