Why did R. Linklater create “A Scanner Darkly” as an animation?

Drug movie interpretation course for people who don't fly

For many people who were born and raised in Japan and have lived their lives avoiding dangerous neighborhoods and people, the "drugs" that appear in the film may be something they only have a vague understanding of, like "Sushi at Sukiyabashi Jiro" or "Robuchon's course menu." They may think, "I know of their existence, but I've never tried them. They're quite expensive, and certain people really like them."

So, for example, why does Renton in Trainspotting (1996) go back to using drugs after deciding to quit, or why does Harry in Requiem for a Hidden Figures (2000) continue using drugs to the point that he has to cut off his arm? I think it's hard to understand.

A Scanner Darkly © 2006, Package Design & Supplementary Material Compilation © 2007 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Distributed by Warner Home Video. All right reserved.

However, there are probably not many doubts about why Frodo in " The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King " (2003) hesitates to drop the ring into the crater of Mount Doom, which he had struggled to reach, or why Anakin in " Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith " (2005) would decide to fall to the dark side about which he had been so warned.

The "One Ring" has magic that can control the world, and Anakin loved Padme so much that he was willing to make the world his enemy. Drugs give the illusion of having the magic to control the world, and make him forget the death of his loved one. Of course, it comes at a great price. If you think of it like that, it's easy to understand.

Or maybe there's a child who spends their pocket money in an instant on a pay-to-play The Game. Or people who try to rebuild their lives by playing pachinko or horse racing. Or, more familiarly, people who resolve to go on a diet but end up eating fried foods and sweets. I'm sure many people would agree with these psychology. That is the "temptation" that confuses and torments the characters in many movies about drugs.

Of course, there are movies that portray drugs as nothing more than drugs, but to truly understand them, you have to pay a heavy price.

Text: Samurai Isao

Designer by profession, film writer by profession. He is working hard to promote Indian films in Japan.

Watch now

View work information

A Scanner Darkly

Blu-ray ¥2,381+tax

warner bros home entertainment

A Scanner Darkly © 2006, Package Design & Supplementary Material Compilation © 2007 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Distributed by Warner Home Video. All right reserved.