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Introduction:

“If the cinema produces its effect, it does so because I identify myself with its images, because I more or less forget myself in what is being displayed on the screen. I am no longer in my own life, I am in the film projected in front of me." -Henri Wallen (Excerpt from Segfried Kraucuer's "Theory of Film: The Redemption of Physical Reality" p. 159)

It is a believed among anthropologists that the compulsory attractiveness of film is due to the desire of people to escape their own reality into one that lies within a screen. Whether escaping through character identification or the need to live vicariously, audiences will immerse themselves in film to the point of entering a dream-like state.

If this is true, if film is used as a means of escape, then why would one leave their own reality into one which is not easily identifiable, one which displays stark reality, one in which reality is the better option?

Drug films such as the comedy “Pineapple Express” and the true-life story “Fear and loathing in Las Vegas” represent the amusing and pleasurable aspects of drugs. But what about the serious drug films such as “Requiem for a Dream” and “Trainspotting” that uses severe images to expose the true nature of drugs (most notably, heroin)?

Requiem for a Dream is a drama portraying four characters lost in the depths of their drug addictions. Harry, his girlfriend Marion, and his best friend Tyrone are all living with dreams but stuck in heroin addictions. Harry's mother, Sara has a dream of being on TV and after believing she was cast on a game show, becomes obsessed with her appearance to the point of getting a prescription for amphetamines to lose weight. When her dream of being on TV does not become reality, she ups the dosage of amphetamines and soon her behavior changes as she begins to hallucinate. Throughout the movie, the dreams of these four people slip further and further away as their addictions become stronger and in the end take over their lives. *See “More Heroin” section for more details on the film

Trainspotting is about Mark Renton, a man living with friends and a heroin addiction in his struggle to “choose life”.  He continuously sobers up, faces the allure of drugs, and contemplates having just “one last hit.” Throughout the course of this film, we witness the disgusting depths that one will go through to have a fix, including diving headfirst into “the worst toilet in Scotland.” We experience the horrifying effects of withdrawal along side of Mark Renton, and live through his dilemma in choosing life over friends and drugs. *See “Heroin” section for more details on the film

Why do audiences find themselves attracted to these movies, what do they experience through these films?

To answer this question I will read up on what people generally look for in films (maybe something more than just an escape). And to find out audience reaction to these two films I will be looking at internet blogs, forums, and movie reviews/interviews.