MovieChat Forums > Banshee Chapter (2013) Discussion > Tryptamines' portrayal in the film

Tryptamines' portrayal in the film

posted 9 years ago by trypt
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I only skimmed the first few mins and saw mention of DMT. Now, I have had a script sitting on my desk, a sci-fi film that I wrote more than 15 years ago (I digress), and this is one of the very few times I even heard of DMT, let alone on screen, so before I watch a C movie like this, I must ask..

How is DMT, or tryptamines (5-MEO, psilocybin, LSD etc.) portrayed. And I don't mean by the characters or even by the police, those are opinions by characters and they can say what they want, I want to know if there are any so called "facts" given by "specialists" in the film which the writers/director clearly want us to take as gospel, and if so, what is that, in general?

I have been researching DMT specifically, but all psychoactives in general, for 16 years now, and my thesis for my BSc in Chemistry was their effect on neurons and the brain in general, and more specifically, how they work the way they work, why they cause no physical side effects at all in healthy patients, even in large doses, and why their effects are felt fully even after the drug is fully out of the system and completely undetectable (especially with LSD). Naturally, the psychological applications also came into play, but I stayed on the pure neuro-science research side rather than their applications to psychiatry (which are plentiful). I stayed away from legality, it's pretty obvious why things that make you question everything, especially authority and violence and human nature would be illegal, even when the damage is minimal to none (compared to a huge poison which most of us consume on a large scale, alcohol).

So, what do I have to look forward to, propaganda one way or another, or is it just a side note by a writer who wants to give DMT some screen time and public knowledge (which has already been done, it is after all the spirit molecule).

--== You were assimilated, resistance was futile! ==--

[–] scochs-1 9 years ago

Well, DMD as portrayed in the film, seems to be a more experimental version of the drug. This version being something extracted straight from brains of people with some, er, unique qualities.

NOTE: This film is also loosely based on the Film From Beyond - an HP Lovecraft based flick and someone on this very board stated that the drug is nothing like it's portrayed on this film (Banshee Chapter.)

That being said, DMD, in this film, is really used as a mechanism to build a bridge to others who, "want to wear us." This bridge (as I put it) also provides a means with which to give these others a way to live on this plain(?) with us. This is also an interesting way this movie brings up the topic of Numbered Stations - for a cool effect, IMO. Doesn't make any damn sense but it's cool.

IMDB - Because some Trolls need more than just a bridge

[–] Don_Cheech 9 years ago

I don't recall any specialists speaking about the drug. We get a first person view of a student like yourself, studying the drug and researching it in his senior thesis. It's presented as being unpredictable, not really understood- and also, were never really sure if he is in fact tripping. The students best friend then goes looking for him. The film itself puts together a a few news clips to form a narrative - and it might even mention a few legit scandals. Almost feels like a Michael Moore film at first. But that changes completely. ultimately, we are left with the facts:
The Government is using it in experiments:
its dangerous -
it makes People lose their Minds
There are extraterrestrial beings within the hallucinations
It's actually pretty nuts. Creepy to look back on. I recommend.