THE EXPERIMENT

Oliver Hirschbiegel
Germany 2001
 

105 min, 35mm, Colour

in German

with English subtitles
 

EnterTheExperiment...
19 Oct 2002, 8:30 pm
25 Oct 2002, 7:30 pm
$50/$30
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Lim Por Yen Film Theatre,
2 Harbour Road, Wanchai

A group of men answer an ad for a 14 day prison simulation test. They do it for money or for experience.

The white-coated scientists appear serious and warn them of possible “extreme situations”, 24 hour surveillance and no privacy: „You wave your civil rights“. They are given every opportunity to back out during the assessment period.

Once they are sorted into guards and prisoners, the atmosphere changes. The rules state categorically „No Violence“. As a result, the prisoners take the piss.
 

The film follows Tarek, a cab driver and chief trouble-maker among the prisoners, and Berus, who assumes leadership of the guards.

The slow, inevitable breakdown of law and order accompanies the unreality of a controlled situation, as personal values shatter under pressure. The experiment becomes a matter of life and death.

The evening before Tarek signs up as a human guinea pig, a young woman's car crashes into his taxi and they end up in bed together. While „inside“, he has slow motion flashbacks of their night together, and later Dora involves herself in the drama.

Awards: Best Actor / Best Production Design / Best Supporting Actor / Audience Award, Germany Film Awards 2001