The Torment Zone (1991)

The Torment Zone (1991) poster

An unsettling experimental documentary that imagines a guided visit through a national mental hospital, The Torment Zone (La Región del Tormento) delves into the mechanisms of psychiatric and legal control that define the treatment of madness. Blending archival textures, hand-drawn animation, and documentary fragments, Marcello Mercado constructs a surreal and claustrophobic environment where medical and judicial discourses intertwine. The result is both a political and psychological reflection on the boundaries of reason and confinement—an early work that anticipates Mercado’s later investigations into biopower, institutional violence, and the anatomy of control.

Director: Marcello Mercado
Runtime: 9 min
Release Date:
Language: Español
Budget: $5,000
Box Office: $5,000
Original Language: es
More Films by Director: Marcello Mercado

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Torment Zone about?
An unsettling experimental documentary that imagines a guided visit through a national mental hospital, The Torment Zone (La Región del Tormento) delves into the mechanisms of psychiatric and legal control that define the treatment of madness. Blending archival textures, hand-drawn animation, and documentary fragments, Marcello Mercado constructs a surreal and claustrophobic environment where medical and judicial discourses intertwine. The result is both a political and psychological reflection on the boundaries of reason and confinement—an early work that anticipates Mercado’s later investigations into biopower, institutional violence, and the anatomy of control.
Who directed The Torment Zone?
The Torment Zone was directed by Marcello Mercado.
How long is The Torment Zone?
The Torment Zone has a runtime of 9m (9 minutes).
What is the budget of The Torment Zone?
The Torment Zone had a budget of $5,000.
How much did The Torment Zone gross?
The Torment Zone grossed $5,000 worldwide.