Dirty Pictures

Dirty Pictures

There are no casual experiments.

Directed by Étienne Sauret

201090 min6.2 / 10

A cerebral documentary portrait of a visionary chemist whose groundbreaking psychedelic research challenges conventional understanding of consciousness and the mind.

Alexander 'Sasha' Shulgin is the scientist behind more than 200 psychedelic compounds including MDMA, more commonly known as Esctasy. Considered to be one of the the greatest chemists of the twentieth century, Sasha's vast array of discoveries have had a profound impact in the field of psychedelic research. 'Dirty Pictures' delves into the lifework of Dr. Shulgin and scientists alike, explores the world of these scientists; their findings and motivations, their ideas, and their beliefs as to how research in this particular field can aid in unlocking the complexities of the mind.

Questions people ask

  • Is Dirty Pictures violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is Dirty Pictures sad? Not especially. Less sad than 73% of films.

  • Is Dirty Pictures easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 62% of films.

  • Does Dirty Pictures end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 62% of films.

  • Is Dirty Pictures scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

42/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity95

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise17

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love30

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Dirty Pictures

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Dirty Pictures

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Dirty Pictures, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Dirty Pictures, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Dirty Pictures, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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