The Substance – Albert Hofmann's LSD
Documentary, 89 min.
Coproduction with Swiss director
by Martin Witz
Switzerland / Germany, August 2011
Le chimiste Albert Hofmann découvre en 1943, dans son laboratoire de recherches bâlois, une substance jusque-là inconnue. Après l’avoir expérimentée sur lui-même, il comprend qu’il a affaire à un agent extrêmement puissant qui bouleverse la perception humaine. Les psychiatres commenceront à utiliser, dans les années 1950, cette nouvelle substance appelée LSD à des fins thérapeutiques. Lorsque cette «bombe atomique du cerveau» sort des cliniques dans les années 1960, c’est une véritable révolution: le LSD semble fait pour les hippies en rupture avec la société d’abondance. Dans les années 1970, le LSD est mis sur liste noire. Aujourd’hui, les substances psychédéliques retrouvent, pour la première fois, un usage légal. Le LSD redeviendra-t-il, à l’avenir, ce médicament qu’Albert Hofmann a toujours vu en lui?
Open / CloseCredits
Directed by:
Martin Witz
Written by:
Martin Witz
World Premiere: August 2011
Original Version:
German/English, colour, HD Cam , 89 min.
ISAN
Production:
ventura film sa, RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera, Teleclub AG, Lichtblick Film- und Fernsehproduktion, Spotlight Media Productions AG
Producer:
Andres Pfaeffli, Elda Guidinetti
Executive Producer:
Andres Pfaeffli
Cinematography:
Pio Corradi, Patrick Lindenmaier
Editing:
Stefan Kälin
Location Sound Mix:
Russ Jaquith, Balthasar Jucker
Sound Editing:
Roland Widmer, Stefan Willenegger
Sound Design:
Roland Widmer, Stefan Willenegger
Rerecording Sound Mix:
Guido Keller
Music:
Marcel Vaid
Open / CloseWorld Sales / World Rights
World Sales:
Autlook Filmsales GmbH
Open / CloseWorldwide Distribution
Distribution Switzerland:
Frenetic Films
Distribution Austria:
mindjazz pictures
Distribution Germany:
mindjazz pictures
Distribution Great Britain:
Soda Pictures
Distribution Netherlands:
Cinema Delicatessen
Distribution USA:
Icarus Films
TV-Rights Brazil:
Globosat Programadora LTDA
TV-Rights Denmark:
DR Danmarks Radio
TV-Rights Finland:
YLE télévision- Finnish Broadcasting Company
TV-Rights Germany:
ZDF info
TV-Rights Israel:
Channel 8/Noga Communication
TV-Rights Sweden:
UR Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company
Open / CloseAwards
- Moscow, 360° Contemporary Science Film Festival, Special Jury Award 2012
- Paris, PARISCIENCE Festival international du Film Scientifique, Prix Audace 2012
- San Francisco, Berlin & Beyond Film Festival San Francisco, Audience Award for Best Documentary 2012
Open / CloseFestivals
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Lünen,
23. Kinofest Lünen,
15.11.2012 – 18.11.2012
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Brisbane,
26th Brisbane International Film Festival,
14.11.2012 – 25.11.2012
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Moscow,
2nd 360° Contemporary Science Film Festival Moscow,
10.10.2012 – 17.10.2012
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Paris,
8e PARISCIENCE Festival international du Film Scientifique Paris,
04.10.2012 – 09.10.2012
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San Francisco,
17th Berlin & Beyond Film Festival San Francisco,
27.09.2012 – 04.10.2012
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Monterrey,
8th Monterrey International Film Festival,
16.08.2012 – 26.08.2012
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Galway,
24th Galway Film Fleadh,
10.07.2012 – 15.07.2012
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Cluj,
11th Transilvania International Film Festival Cluj & Sibiu,
01.06.2012 – 10.06.2012
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Seattle,
38th Seattle International Film Festival,
17.05.2012 – 10.06.2012
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Warsaw,
9th Planete + Doc Film Festival Warsaw,
11.05.2012 – 20.05.2012
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Leuven,
8th Docville International Documentary Film Festival Leuven,
27.04.2012 – 05.05.2012
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Buenos Aires,
14° Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independente,
11.04.2012 – 22.04.2012
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Oslo,
11thEurodok Oslo European Documentary Film Festival,
21.03.2012 – 25.03.2012
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Vilnius,
17th Vilnius International Film Festival,
12.03.2012 – 26.03.2012
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Thessaloniki,
14th Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival,
09.03.2012 – 18.03.2012
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Prag,
13th One World International Human Rights Film Festival Prague,
06.03.2012 – 15.03.2012
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Göteborg,
35th Göteborg International Film Festival,
27.01.2012 – 06.02.2012
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Solothurn,
47. Solothurner Filmtage,
19.01.2012 – 26.01.2012
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Saarbrücken,
33. Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis Saarbrücken,
16.01.2012 – 22.01.2012
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Amsterdam,
24th IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam,
16.11.2011 – 27.11.2011
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Firenze,
52 Festival dei Popoli Firenze,
12.11.2011 – 19.11.2011
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Kassel,
28. Kasseler Dokumentarfilm- und Videofest,
08.11.2011 – 13.11.2011
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Sevilla,
8° Sevilla Festival de Cine Europeo,
04.11.2011 – 11.11.2011
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Leeds,
25th Leeds International Film Festival,
03.11.2011 – 20.11.2011
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Leipzig,
54. Internationales Leipziger Festival für Dokumentar- und Animationsfilm,
17.10.2011 – 23.10.2011
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Paris,
9e Festival international Signes de Nuit Paris,
07.10.2011 – 16.10.2011
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Locarno,
64° Festival del film Locarno, Competition,
03.08.2011 – 13.08.2011
Open / CloseNews
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Film Festival Locarno 2011: Strong presence for Swiss films in competitions
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“The Substance” in competition at European Film Festival in Seville
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IDFA 2011: prominent presence for Swiss documentary films in Amsterdam
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Balance 2011: Swiss films excel at international festivals
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15 Swiss films at Max Ophuels Prize Film Festival in Saarbrücken
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Nominations for the Swiss Film Prize «Quartz 2012»
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Fernand Melgar retrospective at BAFICI in Buenos Aires
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International distribution of six Swiss films is granted
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“Messies …” and “Balkan Melodie” in competition in Warsaw
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Swiss films in competition in Seattle
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SWISS FILMS Review 2011 – Increased presence of Swiss film productions
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“The Substance” wins two awards in one week
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Film about the discoverer of LSD showered with awards
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2012: Swiss films at all top festivals










