[2] Her grandfather, Raymond, was one of the three Sackler brothers who created and owned Purdue Pharma, infamous for its role in the Opioid epidemic.
As outlined in the book, she has scrupulously denied her family’s role in one of America’s largest public health crises, which has claimed the lives of over 600,000 people.
Sackler incorporated these interests into her time at Duke with a minor in English, a photography elective, and creating a documentary short as an independent study.
[6] After graduating from Duke University, Sackler used her skills in computer software to begin her career as a film editor.
[7] Sackler has since filmed more documentaries, including Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus and It's a Hard Truth Ain't It.
The film follows four families that are hoping to enroll their children in the Harlem Success Academy charter school in New York City.
[12] Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus is an observational documentary directed by Sackler for HBO.
[6] In the documentary, Sackler captures the theatre group's performances, as well as their everyday lives and struggles under what they consider to be totalitarian control.
[6][8] Following the election there were riots with civilians clashing with police followed by arrests including opposition candidates, with some members of Belarus Free Theatre being involved and others fleeing for countries such as England and America.
[citation needed] This turbulent election altered Sackler's documentary from themes of dictatorship, power, and censorship, to topics of exile, family, and home.
[9] During the five-year production time of the film O.G., Sackler simultaneously recorded interviews and led a documentary filmmaking workshop for inmates at Pendleton Correctional Facility.
[9] It's a Hard Truth Ain't It features inmate's footage and interviews, as well as animation by Yoni Goodman.
[1] In August 2020, Sackler received an Emmy nomination for directing the HBO documentary, It's a Hard Truth, Ain't It, marking the first time anyone in prison has made a nominated film, as the film was co-directed by thirteen men inside the Pendleton Correctional Facility.