Brad Pitt introduces War on Drugs documentary The House I Live In, jokes about past drug use

Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images

A-list celebrities and cause-related documentaries go together like bread and peanut butter, from Johnny Depp supporting the film West of Memphis at the Toronto International Film Festival to now Brad Pitt throwing his weight behind the newly released documentary The House I Live In, examining the sad complexities of Americas War on Drugs.

Pitt made a surprise appearance on Friday night at the Sundance Sunset Cinema in West Hollywood to introduce the film, directed by Eugene Jarecki.

His opening line? A zinger.

Im Brad Pitt and Im a drug addict, the star jokingly told the audience. My drug days have long since passed, but I could probably land in any American city and within 24 hours find whatever you want. But we still support this charade called the drug war. We spent a trillion dollars over 40 years and a lot of people have lost their lives over it.

Pitt has signed on as the emotional, intensive documentarys executive producer. Other co-producers include a bevy of names, from Russell Simmons to John Legend and Danny Glover. The movie snagged the documentary grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

Drugs are more than just immoral, they keep people down. This movie humanizes this war, continued Pitt during his intro of the film, which looks at a broad stretch of the criminal justice system, from inmates to judges.

In September, Depp passionately made a plea for the documentary West of Memphis, about the West Memphis Three: three teens arrested, convicted, and sent to prison for allegedly killing three boys in Arkansas and who served 18 years in prison before getting released.

For more film news

Read more:Toronto Film Festival: Johnny Depp just a friend sharing his support, Tater Tots for West of Memphis