The documentary film "Three Identical Strangers" tells the remarkable true story of three identical triplets named Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland, and David Kellman, who reunite by chance in New York City in 1980 after being separated at birth and adopted by different families.
The three young men quickly become local celebrities, appearing on numerous TV shows and receiving media attention for their incredible story. They start a joint business venture and move in together, enjoying their newfound fame and the bond they share as brothers.
However, as they delve deeper into their past, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that involves a secret research project conducted by a renowned child development psychologist, Dr. Peter Neubauer, and a prestigious adoption agency, Louise Wise Services.
Dr. Neubauer had deliberately separated the triplets at birth and placed them in different homes to study the effects of environment on child development, without the knowledge or consent of their adoptive families. The experiment had lasting emotional and psychological effects on the triplets and their families, leading to questions about the ethical implications of such research, as well as the broader nature vs. nurture debate.
The film features interviews with the triplets, their families, and key figures involved in the study, as well as archival footage and reenactments. It explores themes of identity, family, trauma, and the consequences of scientific experimentation on human lives. "Three Identical Strangers" is a gripping and thought-provoking documentary that raises profound ethical questions about the nature of scientific inquiry and the responsibility of researchers to protect their subjects.