THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT ****
How far can someone endure pain, suffering and abuse? How far can one be pushed to the edge without reacting back with violence? What if this is a voluntary action where a group of students surrender themselves to an experiment where they will be treated as criminals? Back in 1971, Dr. Zimbardo (Billy Crudup), chief of The Stanford University’s Psychology Department developed an experiment to test the limits of the human behavior when they are incarcerated. Over the shadows of war, revolution and insecurity of that period, they selected a group of students and locked them up in a simulated prison, treating them as real prisoners. They are all under contract, and agreed to the rules, which excludes violence, but soon things start to heat up, as each one decides to embody their analysis-persona with veracity. Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez was privileged to have the real Dr. Zimbado as a consultant for the film, which improved the accuracy and preciseness of the narrative, as it invites the audience for an immersive and chilling analysis on the human behavior and the inevitable collision of men when facing an out of control situation. He unfolds the story with an increasingly claustrophobic sense, exploring aspects of greed, manipulation, ego and resistance. The actors absorb these characteristics with convincingly techniques, the change on their voices, the exhaustion and fury consuming them, especially Ezra Miller, who’s the first prisoner to revolt against the system and Michael Angarano as the infamously cruel correctional officer. Texan actor Chris Sheffield gives a breakthrough performance, stealing the show when he endures humiliations as he opposes to the profanities provoked by the officers. Conceived as a ticking-bomb, Alvarez created an intriguing look at the limits of human resistance and submission. (Opens July 17th in NYC)
10.000 KM ***
Winner of the Goya Award for Best New Director, this romantic tale introduces the lovable Catalan couple, Alex and Sergi, as they explore their mutual feelings and co-dependence. They get up in the morning to an intimate sexual connection, dreams are being shared, envisions of a bright full house future and the assurance of their commitment. When she breaks the news about her job offer in Los Angeles, they see an obstacle to their plans, but decide to maintain the strong relationship alive, even at a distance, using the support of technology. As the couple move forward, setting apart and reaching out for their ambitions, director Carlos Marques-Marcet develops an intimate investigation on the effects of solitude as a consequence for survival and success. (Opens Friday at IFC Center)
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