Watch Dirty Pictures

Dirty Pictures is a 2010 documentary film directed by Etienne Sauret. The film is a look at the life of Dr. Alexander Shulgin, a chemist who is best known for his work in psychoactive drugs. The film follows Dr. Shulgin as he reminisces about his career, his discoveries, and the impact that his work has had on the world. The film opens with Dr. Shulgin discussing his early life and how he was always fascinated by chemistry. He talks about his relationship with his wife Ann, who became his laboratory assistant, and how they began working together to create new compounds. Dr. Shulgin explains that his work was inspired by the belief that there is a spiritual side to humanity that can be explored through chemistry. He also talks about how his work was influenced by his experiences with the psychoactive drug mescaline.

Throughout the film, Dr. Shulgin discusses his many discoveries and creations, including MDMA, which he first synthesized in the 1970s. He explains how he and Ann tested the drug themselves and how it quickly became popular among the psychotherapy community. He talks about how MDMA was eventually banned by the government, and how this made him feel like he had failed to educate people about the true potential of the drug.

The film also explores the controversies surrounding Dr. Shulgin's work. He is shown giving a lecture at a conference, where he is challenged by other scientists who believe that his work is dangerous and irresponsible. Dr. Shulgin defends himself by arguing that his work is done in a responsible and scientific manner, and that he is simply exploring the possibilities of chemistry.

One of the most touching aspects of the film is the relationship between Dr. Shulgin and Ann. The two are shown working together in their laboratory, and they talk about their love for each other and how their work has brought them closer together. In one scene, Dr. Shulgin recalls the time when he proposed to Ann by synthesizing a ring made entirely of compounds that he had created. The two are also shown discussing their fears about aging, and how they worry that they won't have enough time to finish all of the work that they want to do.

The film is filled with beautiful shots of the California countryside, where Dr. Shulgin's laboratory is located. It also features interviews with friends and colleagues who reflect on the impact that Dr. Shulgin has had on their lives. One of the most moving interviews comes from Rick Doblin, the founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, who talks about how Dr. Shulgin's work inspired him to dedicate his life to advancing the use of psychedelic drugs in psychotherapy.

Overall, Dirty Pictures is a fascinating look at the life and work of a man who has made a significant contribution to the field of chemistry. The film is sensitive and thoughtful, and it raises important questions about the nature of science and how we define progress.

Dirty Pictures is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.