Diagnosis: Dissent

In November 1971, Semen Hluzman prepared an independent forensic psychiatric examination in absentia in the case of General Petro Hryhorenko, which declared the General mentally healthy, contrary to the state point of view of the political regime in the USSR, proved the illegality of the use of repressive psychiatry methods against the General, that he was 'mentally ill' - prepared by specialists from the V. P. Serbsky Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and passed the examination to his American colleagues. In 1972, Semen Hluzman was sentenced (mainly for the said independent examination) to 7 years in concentration camps (in the Perm region), and additionally to 3 years in exile (in the Tyumen region). He served his sentence together with Ivan Svitlychnyi, Yevhen Sverstiuk, and Levko Lukianenko.

When you watch the film. You will understand why I wrote it. This does not describe exactly what is happening because the events in the film have been artistically altered. But I think it is based on this moment in Ukrainian history.

In general, the film is wonderful. The events are dynamic and interesting. The plot is fascinating. The acting is excellent. But the events are terrible. Nevertheless, we still need to know and remember them in order to resist the repetition of the methods of 'punitive psychiatry' in Russia and other dictatorships.

I definitely recommend this film.

Just watched "Mad Ones". AND I'M JUST AMAZED!

This is exactly what I was looking for! It reminded me of "Oxygen Starvation" and "Do It Once", and in some aspects, I even saw parallels with "A Clockwork Orange" regarding the themes of power abuse and the concept of punishment.

I'm writing this review right after watching it, still under the impression.

The acting and directing are truly top-notch, easily comparable to Hollywood blockbusters. The script and pacing keep you on edge from start to finish. The film begins as the tragedy of a person suffering because they see further than what society allows others to, captivating right from the start, but then takes an entirely unpredictable turn.

I want to highlight the portrayal of institutions of confinement and punitive psychiatry. There's a reason the term "to inject" (as in forcibly sedating someone) carries unique connotations in Eastern Europe. It's a national trauma, I'd say. In my previous work, I encountered thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country. I visited four correctional facilities, saw both the façades built "for inspectors" and what lay behind them. But nothing shocked me more than Oleksiyivska Penal Colony #25 - a place so lavishly renovated it looks more like a palace than a prison. However, those who know how many corpses its foundations hide, how it was built, and the brutal torture methods employed would say it out-horrors any horror movie.

The actors portraying the sadistic orderlies did so authentically that it reminded me of real people I had worked with - their mannerisms perfectly replicated. The sadistic moods and emotions were so precisely captured that I can say it was an exact match. The portrayal of women seeking career advancement at any cost, and the various types of "service workers" - their resemblance to real-life counterparts was uncanny.

Fortunately, by the time I left the law enforcement system, the agencies were undergoing deep reforms. Many good, kind-hearted, and honorable people had come in - mostly young professionals and war veterans who couldn't find a place for themselves in civilian life. But there are still those who cling to nostalgia for the "old days" and dream of their return.

I was aware of punitive psychiatry during the Soviet era, but while watching this film and experiencing the specific story of one of the individuals who ended up in it (according to official data, there were over 2 million), I felt chills running down my spine. How cruel, aggressive, and terrifying this Soviet machine was. Punitive psychiatry still exists in Russia and in Crimea.

There is still so much we don't know about what happened during the Soviet era; their KGB worked very effectively, covering everything up and eliminating witnesses. But punitive psychiatry is just one form of "treatment," involving the beating and torture of those who disagreed with the Soviet regime. The film is incredible; it evokes deep emotions and empathy for everyone who ends up in this hell. It's a must-watch!

The film is a powerful drama that draws attention to the problem of the use of punitive psychiatry in the USSR.

The main character, Andriy Dovzhenko, is faced with a difficult choice: cooperate with the KGB or reveal the truth about the torture of dissidents and ordinary patients in a psychiatric hospital, but at the same time expose his family and himself to blows of the totalitarian system.

It is worth noting the excellent acting of Kostyantyn Temlyak, Irma Vitovska and Vitaly Saliy.

Kostyantyn Temlyak in the role of Andriy Dovzhenko conveys the deep emotions and internal conflicts of his character, making his struggle with the system extremely convincing.

We see how his character changes over time and goes from an internal rebellion, caused by the desire to live a comfortable life for him, not limited by the norms and laws of the society around him, to a struggle with virtually the entire punishment machine and pseudo psychiatry.

A wonderfully executed role, a good continuation of the actor's acting after the role of Tychyna in "Slovo-House" movie.

Vitaly Saliy in the role of Kozych impresses with his charismatic performance and excellent acting of his character. Indeed, Vitaly is a star of modern Ukrainian cinema; one can only wish him: better choose the projects which he participates in and give preference to higher quality ones.

Irma Vitovska in the role of Iryna Lagnovska adds emotional depth and humanity to the film, adds faith that the system can be changed from within.

It is also worth noticing the imperfection of the voice acting and speech of the characters: the language of almost all the characters is very "flat", "licked", without features that exist in real life. Almost all the characters communicate in such way and in that language like they were playing on the stage of an academic theater; the texture of the language is very smoothed, there are no roughnesses, differences in both the sound range and vocabulary. Sometimes it seems that most of the characters speak in the same tone, as if they were voiced by a single voice actor. Some "hooks" in pronunciation, different tones, phrases, words, different pronunciation, possible defects or features of diction, etc. Are missing. The characters who take part in the movie belong to completely different layers of society, different social groups but, in fact, communicate in a very similar language and in the same frequency range. There are almost no mats and profanity, which is very surprising for those conditions and times. This makes the dialogues less natural and somewhat detracts from the overall positive impression of the film.

The problem of character voice acting, their speech and pronunciation (and sometimes their dialogues) is one of the most common problems of Ukrainian cinema, which needs attention and improvement.

And the examples of Pamfir and Luxemburg-Luxembourg show that there is no need to be afraid to use more lively language in movies.

In addition, there are a couple of "heroic" monologues, which do not look very natural and appropriate.

It is worth noting the excellent cinematography and sound work. The interiors of the 1970s of the Soviet Union are also quite well represented.

The atmosphere of a special medical institution is perfectly embodied, and the soundtrack in the scenes in the hospital and throughout the movie as a whole sets the right mood and color of the events taking place.

In general, we can say that this movie will not leave any viewer indifferent, because it not only highlights the tragic, but important for understanding, pages of life in a totalitarian country, but also makes you think about the value of freedom and human dignity.

I recommend watching it. Worthy of 8/10 points within the scope of Ukrainian cinematography.

Watch Ukrainian movies!

Healthcare, particularly the addiction for-profit industry is doing that to Americans right now. You should really watch this movie and understand that. Then you should demand that all drugs be sold just like alcohol for your own sake. There's some parts of the movie that really hit the point more so than others but it really goes to show that this type of behavior is not isolated and the corruption is inherent to all systems of government. People like to think that's bad but no it's worse than that and you should do everything you can to never have to experience it while you still have a chance.