A Studio Wants to Hypnotise 30 People Into Forgetting a Classic Film

November 2 — The French film production and distribution company Pathé is running an experiment that attempts to erase people’s memories of classic films so they can experience them for the first time again.

Pathé is working with hypnotist Victor Kraemer to put 30 film fans through memory hypnosis and see whether they can recapture the freshness of watching it for the first time. The campaign is called “Pathé Rewind”.

Registration has now closed; organisers will select applicants based on viewing preferences, motivation, availability and willingness to take part in the publicity. Those chosen will have one-to-one online hypnosis sessions with Kraemer.

Before the actual screening, participants will be hypnotised again and then watch the film on a cinema screen. The shortlist is The Matrix, Se7en, La La Land and Interstellar; the film shown will be whichever of the four the 30 participants know best.

Pathé says the experiment of course cannot guarantee that hypnosis will work, but the results will be worth watching. Most people, presumably, would rather spectate from a safe distance than have their memories erased — especially given the disclaimer attached to the event: “Pathé accepts no liability for the effects of hypnosis, its impact, or any other consequences arising from it.”

The disclaimer adds: “Pathé hopes to use this experimental study to research whether hypnosis can create an entirely new cinema experience. Pathé makes no guarantee whatsoever as to the effectiveness of the hypnotic method.”

The experiment will take place on 9 November local time at the Pathé Buitenhof cinema in The Hague.