requiem dreams

Requiem dreams are probably best portrayed in the classic 1978 novel: Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby, which was adapted into a 2000 film of the same name, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Selby actually has a little cameo role himself, playing a prison guard. The film depicts different forms of addiction, leading to the main characters' imprisonment in a requiem dreams world, which is then overtaken and devastated by reality. Specifically, the mother becomes addicted to diet pills, and her son, his best friend, and his girlfriend become increasingly addicted to heroin (they are already regular users when the movie starts). In the United States the film was rated as an NC-17, because of scenes of group sex and full frontal nudity; but after an appeal by the director it was released un-rated. An edited version of the film was released on video, rated R, with the sex scene shortened.