Better Living Through Circuitry
Boom, boom, boom, boom. If techno music isn't your thing, this
documentary about the rave scene and the subculture surrounding will
probably give you a headache, but if you dig the music, you'll dig the
film.
Story
It's the story of America's youth. It's the story of outcasts who band
together, with the beat serving as their common bond, in a "communal
experience." It's the story of tireless rave scenesters, savvy promoters
and idealistic artists. If you're part of the scene, you'll see all the
familiar phenoms and faces; if you're over 30 and don't have a clue,
this is a good intro course to the techno world, and from now on you'll
be able to love or hate this music with a more informed opinion.
Acting
Who the hell are all these people, with names such as Frankie Bones, DJ
Spooky, Loop Guru, Moby, Scanner and so on? They're the DJs and computer
nerds who make those booming beats on their Macs and turntables, and
some of their stories are pretty fascinating. With their do-it-yourself
ethic and their quest to create a new music art form, these folks
actually come off as real human beings (like the guy who got into
deejaying by spinning his dead father's record collection).
Direction
If you've ever been to a rave, you know that there are a few
fundamentals: A darkened, empty building (usually a warehouse); loud,
thumping and incessant music; weird lights and images streaming across
the walls; and, of course, the DJ. Director Jon Reiss, who used to make
videos for Nine Inch Nails, brings the party to the screen without
polishing the grit to an MTV-style gloss. See it in a theater with good
speakers.
Bottom Line
If you're too young (i.e. Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys
aficionados) or too old (Led Zep, anyone?), forget it. But for its
intended audience, a classic in the making.