Homo Sapiens 1900

Search our
catalog:

Join our
e-mail list!
Stay Informed of Special Offers, New Releases, and More!

View titles
by subject:

Homo Sapiens 1900

Directed by Peter Cohen

film still HOMO SAPIENS 1900 is a haunting exploration of the history of eugenics, race hygiene and the idea of the 'new man'. Emerging at the turn of the century, eugenic movements spawned government sanctioned research projects, whose stated goals were the improvement of the human species through biological means - including positive breeding, sterilization, and the elimination of all 'degenerate' members of society.

Unearthing startling archival footage and long-hidden documents, HOMO SAPIENS 1900 examines the social and political undercurrents that helped generate the often-feverish quest to build a superior race. In the United States the American Eugenics Society promoted the ratification of the world's first sterilization law, while Germany and the Soviet Union, in their efforts to build utopian societies, developed their own horrific applications.

The differing ideologies of these two countries form the basis of this film. Nazi Germany's emphasis on the body, it's condition and corporal beauty, is contrasted with the Soviet Union's focus on the brain and human intellect.

Directed by Peter Cohen, (whose previous film, the critically-acclaimed ARCHITECTURE OF DOOM is also distributed by First Run / Icarus Films), HOMO SAPIENS 1900 is a fascinating document of this disturbing chapter in the history of science.

"A powerful and convincing depiction of [eugenics] and its disturbing history. Historical black-and-white movie clips and stills... allow the viewer to contemplate the horrors of [eugenics]." - Science Books and Films

"[Cohen] employs admirable skill in shedding light on the eugenics movements... a superb, disturbing document of a frightening view of man, which has been applied in our time. A must-see film." - Aftonbladet (Sweden)

"**** [4 Stars] A monumental, astonishing survey / warning. A bone-chilling and gut-wrenching documentary history of eugenics - aka racial hygiene - in the 20th century. Highly recommended for high school audiences and up." - *Editor's Choice* Video Librarian

“Powerful and vivid... A stark reminder of how science can be invoked for unethical purposes. Abundant archival photographs and film footage [are used] to good effect.” - Journal of the American Medical Association

** 2000 American Anthropological Association Conference Film Festival

85 minutes / color / 1999
Sale/video-dvd: $298
Rental/video: $100

Subject areas: Anthropology, Ethics, Germany, History of Science, Jewish Studies, Race and Racism, Russia, Science and Technology, Sweden

Related Titles:

The Goebbels Experiment
Optimum: The legacies of three 19th century visionaries - Jeremy Bentham, Charles Babbage, and Francis Galton - who helped shaped modern (post) industrial society.

Give Us Our Skeletons!: Niillas Somby, a Sami, an ethnic group which inhabits northern Scandinavia, is fighting the Norwegian authorities, trying to compel them to release the skull of a rebellious ancestor.

Last updated 09/01/2006