The Raft

In 1973, five men and six women drifted across the Atlantic on a raft for 101 days as part of an experiment studying the origins of violence and the dynamics of attraction. Scientists called it a “Peace Project”; the media called it “The Sex Raft.” Expecting lots of conflict and sex, the anthropologist in charge had to reassess all his preconceptions when the participants got along in (more or less) platonic harmonies, turning against his controlling influence. Featuring stunningly beautiful archival footage and contemporary interviews with the surviving participants, this engrossing and award-winning documentary is an unexpectedly uplifting portrait of human nature and survival skills. (97 mins., DCP)