The Psychedelic Pioneers
Part leading edge medical research part utopian idealism. Three gifted psychiatrists, in communication with an extraordinarily powerful hallucinogen, resulted in one of themost fascinating and controversial periods in Canadian history.
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SYNOPSIS :
The story of The Psychedelic Pioneers is part leading edge medical research and part utopian idealism.
Three gifted psychiatrists, in combination with an extraordinarily powerful drug, resulted in one of
the most fascinating and controversial periods in Canadian history.
Before LSD burst on the scene as fuel for wild psychedelic trips, it had an amazing, yet little known
history. A surprising part of that history was written in a remote corner of the Canadian Prairies.
Over a span of fifteen years, from when the drug was first administered in 1952 until it was banned
and made illegal in 1967, the use of LSD ranged from leading edge psychiatric research into
schizophrenia and alcoholism to volunteer testing on the general public.
As word of LSD’s amazing properties began to seep out of the laboratory, artists and intellectuals
such as writer Aldous Huxley, filmmaker Paul Saltzman, architect Kyo Izumi and painter Ted Godwin
began to experiment and travel to Saskatchewan to have their first experiences with LSD. The Psychedelic
Pioneers takes us through these fascinating and controversial times through the eyes of the three lead
Dr’s involved in the LSD Saskatchewan project.
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PRODUCTION TEAM :
Director – Gordon McLennan: hailed as one of western Canada’s most accomplished filmmakers having written, directed and produced award winning drama and documentary films for the last 10 years. Gordon’s work has taken him from Los Angeles to New York, from Europe to Africa shooting everything from innovative television programming to feature films. Selected credits include Risk (Feature film – Invited to Sundance Film Festival), In The Flesh (Doc – NFB), In Her Eyes (Doc – CBC), Two Gun Cohen (Doc – NFB) and Skipped Parts (Feature film starring Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Jason Leigh & Brad Renfro).
Producer – Anand Ramayya: This emerging talent has worked as an independent producer since 1998 on numerous Drama, Documentary and Animation projects for a variety of Canadian broadcasters. Anand has received 3 Gemini Awards for his work as a producer and documentary filmaker. Combining his love of film and business education Anand has built a reputation as a hard working, creative producer committed to supporting original film and television projects. Anand compliments his work through volunteerism and has served one term as President of the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association.
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