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Altered States

Name: Altered States
Director: Ken Russell
Released: 1980
Duration: 103 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1980

Director

Ken Russell

Runtime

103 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Altered States is a thought-provoking film that challenges Western rationalism through its unique visual style. It effectively dismantles the idea of a stable, unified self by exploring psychological fragmentation. However, the film's focus on a single male-centric journey limits its exploration of diverse interpersonal relationships and varied character representation. While it delves into non-traditional cognitive states, these are explored through scientific investigation rather than personal experience.

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Category Breakdown

Does Altered States have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses almost entirely on the biological and psychological development of the main character. There are no characters or storylines that explore LGBTQ+ identities or experiences.

How does Altered States portray gender?

Limited

Women in the film mainly serve as stabilizers or reactions to the male protagonist's journey. While the movie challenges the 'competent male' stereotype through psychological breakdown, it still centers around a male-dominated adventure.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Altered States?

Fair

Native American spiritual practices play a crucial role in the protagonist's journey. However, these elements are used to advance Western exploration rather than giving characters of color independent roles.

How does Altered States represent religion and culture?

Good

The film questions Western rational thinking by emphasizing personal, subjective experiences over objective facts. It highlights non-linear, ancestral time concepts that challenge conventional Western views of history and progress.

Does Altered States include disability representation?

Fair

The film examines profound neurological differences and altered states of mind through scientific experiments. It offers a stylized look at psychological fragmentation and disrupted sensory processing.

Present on Screen

Challenges the dominance of materialist science and Western rational thinking.
Offers a detailed, stylized portrayal of non-traditional cognitive states and psychological fragmentation.
Disrupts traditional storytelling by questioning the concept of a unified self.

Limited or Absent

Does not include characters or storylines that explore LGBTQ+ identities or experiences.
Women are mostly portrayed as stabilizers or reactions to the male protagonist’s journey rather than having independent roles.
Indigenous elements are used to support a Western protagonist’s journey rather than giving characters of color independent roles.

Official Synopsis

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind.

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