Film Info
The Substance

Film Information

Exhibition Title	The Substance
Original Title	The substance: Albert Hofman's LSD
English Title	The Substance
Director	Martin Witz
Countrys
Year	2011
Format	HD
Colour	Color
Duration	89'

Production:

Guión / Scriptwriter: Martin Witz
Fotografía / Cinematography: Pio Corradi
Edición / Editing: Stefan Kälin
Producción / Producer: Andres Pfaeffli
Compañía Productora / Production Company: Ventura Film

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Synopsis

From a wonder drug to a problem child, The Substance captures the development of LSD from its discovery by Swiss chemist Alfred Hofmann in 1943 to its ban in California in 1966. This well-documented documentary shows how the drug was used in experiments in psychology and on the street, where it became the psychedelic symbol of the hippie movement, and features centenarian Alfred Hofmann talking us about his first “awful experience” with the drug. There are also interviews with scientists, with members of the Merry Pranksters (Ken Kesey’s community), the self-taught LSD producer and guru Timothy Leary, and archive footage –including intriguing recordings of experiments– that captures the spirit of the times. By means of conclusion, we see how LSD is now being used to treat terminal cancer patients for depression, one of whom emotionally explains how LSD caused a fundamental shift in his approach to the world: “You’re opening up instead of narrowing down”. And that’s exactly what the substance of our dear Hofmann is all about.