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DAS EXPERIMENT
"The Experiment" |
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Video Pick |
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STARS: Moritz Bleibtreu, Christa Berkel, Oliver Stokowski, Wotan Wilke Mohring
Rated: R
SCORE: 8/10 |
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This is a fascinating film about the psychological impact of an experiment revolving around role playing and authority. Behavior has been studied for years, we often wonder how someone who doesn't seem so threatening can become a monster. After all - look at Hitler. He could have very well been a painter, that was his dream - but he wound up as one of the most savage dictators in history. Then there is "mob mentality". Joe Blow may be a passive guy in real life who always follows the law and knows his morals. But what if Joe Blow were thrown into a mob scene where a crowd of his peers were rioting and committing acts of violence? Studies have shown that in these set of circumstances, human behavior is often dictated by peer pressure, or on the opposite spectrum - a liberating sense of freedom. In a crowd, we feel more free to follow along, we stand out less but there is a sense of power in being destructive and following others. For some - they follow out of pleasure more than fear. |
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An advertisement in a paper asks of volunteers for an experiment, they will receive a very descent sum of money to participate in this 14 day study. They arrive, befriend one another and undergo a series of tests to determine their psychological makeup. Then, the professor and his assistance who are running the show, divide them up into two groups: Guards & Prisoners. A Professor takes the guards away seperately and explains that the entire success of the experiment relies on them. They must enforce some basic rules and explain these to the prisoners. The prisoners are also told that their civil liberties will be given up during this experiment, last chance to get out. But nobody does, the money and interest is too alluring. The one thing guards are told - violence will not be tolerated. Anyone who breaks this rule is out without pay. |
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The story revolves around Tarek, a cab driver who was once a reporter, who decides he can make some pay by doing a story on it, documenting events with a hidden camera in his glasses. He is assigned as a prisoner, and like others is referred to by his number, 77. Self identity is removed as prisoners may not call eachother by name but number, and must refer to the guards by their title. This helps remove the personal aspect making it easier to fall into their roles. At first it's fun and games, everyone takes it a little lightly, they're getting paid after all. Prisoners must sleep in cells and wear smocks, guards have uniforms and carry clubs with handcuffs. The setting is very real, with the exception of the cameras everywhere which those running the experiment can watch in a control room to document the events and behavioral changes.
Under stressed conditions - certain personalities begin to emerge. One guard begins to take on the leadership role. And Tarek seems to be the instigator of the prisoners, the one who keeps things in perspective that this is only a game and that by not obeying a rule or submitting to every command of the guards should bring too severe of consequences. After all they arne't really prisoners nor guards. When one rule is broken and they are told to do pushups, they must constructively come up with non-violent ways to gain back control and to punish behavior. Because the prisoners begin to push their buttons, and some guards begin to feel inferior and want to regain power, and respect as authority. But each incident seems to escelate, from a little yelling and pushing around to humiliation and eventually...violence. A couple of them seem to enjoy their dominant role and have a sadistic sense of pleasure in punishment. While some of the prisoners fall into a deep state of depression and anxiety. |
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Tarek becomes a prime target, but soon others who are seen as "weak" to follow. It doesn't take long before the experiment is completely out of control and those running the show realize they no longer have the power, what once was a simple study in human condition and psychological impact becomes one of reality. There is no line drawn beteween the experiment and reality, personalities begin to emerge in the guards in which they give themself permission to cross the line outside of the "prison" (for they are the only ones allowed to leave this environment). Prisoners realize that they really are prisoners, they cannot escape. A great film that has you on the edge of you seat screaming "It's not real!" at the guards. But in the end, just how real is it? When the uniform comes off, you are who you are. We don't really know our true selves and what we are capable of doing until the right circumstances fall into place. Maybe it takes just a little nudge in the right, or wrong direction to find that out. Think it's not possible? http://www.prisonexp.org |
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View our Horror Picks for Halloween |
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