Films about drugs and raves often depict the wild and sometimes dangerous world of underground parties, drug culture, and the experiences of those involved. These films tend to explore themes of hedonism, rebellion, and the consequences of excessive behavior, providing a glimpse into a subculture that is both alluring and perilous.
“Human Traffic”, 1999
Director: Justin Kerrigan
Set in Cardiff, Wales, this film follows a group of friends as they navigate the underground rave scene. It delves into their experiences with drugs, relationships, and the search for meaning in their lives.
Starring: John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Nicola Reynolds, Danny Dyer, Dean Davies, Peter Albert, Jan Anderson, Terence Beesley, Sarah Blackburn, Anne Bowen, Neil Bowens, Peter Bramhill, Jo Brand, Stephanie Brooks, Richard Coyle, Carl Cox, Nicola Davey, Roger Evans, Bradley Freegard, Helen Griffin, Emma Hall, Elizabeth Harper, Carol Harrison, Jennifer Hill, Tyrone Johnson, Nicola Heywood-Thomas, Nick Kilroy, Andrew Lincoln, Howard Marks, Robert Marrable, Louis Marriot, Danny Midwinter, Millsy in Nottingham, Robbie Newby, Ninjah, Cadfan Roberts, Mad Doctor X, Philip Rosch, Jason Samuels, Mark Seaman, Lynne Seymour, Patrick Taggart, Giles Thomas, Menna Trussler, Larrington Walker, Anna Wilson, Eilian Wyn, Tim Hamilton;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: comedy, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Human Traffic” on the website imdb.com
“Go”, 1999
Director: Doug Liman
This film intertwines three different storylines, all connected by a drug deal gone awry, leading to a series of wild events during a rave in Las Vegas. It captures the frenetic energy and unpredictability of the rave culture.
Starring: Sarah Polley, Timothy Olyphant, William Fichtner, Katie Holmes, Scott Wolf, Jay Mohr, Desmond Askew, Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer, Nathan Bexton, James Duval, Jimmy Shubert, J.E. Freeman, Suzanne Krull, Robert Peters, Jodi Bianca Wise, Rita Bland, Tony Denman, Scott Hass, Natasha Melnick, Manu Intiraymi, Josh Paddock, Courtland Mead, Katharine Towne, Marisa Johnston, Ken Kupstis, Nikki Fritz, Tane McClure, Jay Paulson, Jane Krakowski, Melissa McCarthy, Shann Christen, Willie Amakye, Princess Leah Lucky Buttons, Emmy Collins, Sean Everett, Sebastian Feldman, Walter Ludwig, Bob Pepper, Dana Schick, Mark Sharp, Bill Swann, J. Karen Thomas, D. Danny Warhol, Algerita Wynn, Monique Yates Jr.;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Go” on the website imdb.com
“Enter the Void”, 2009
Director: Gaspar Noé
This visually stunning film takes the audience on a hallucinatory journey through the neon-lit streets of Tokyo's nightlife. It explores drug use, the afterlife, and the disorienting effects of psychedelics in the context of the rave scene.
Starring: Paz de la Huerta, Nathaniel Brown, Cyril Roy, Olly Alexander, Masato Tanno, Ed Spear, Emily Alyn Lind, Jesse Kuhn, Nobu Imai, Sakiko Fukuhara, Janice Béliveau-Sicotte, Sara Stockbridge, Stuart Miller, Emi Takeuchi, Rumiko Kimishima, Akira Kuzuki, Sayuki Nakamura, Kaori Nakamura, Naoko Hirosawa, Kenji Isomura, Akira, Anna, Marie, Rico, Risa, Ryo, Yuri, Sandra, Richard Barnes, Hideomi Nagahama, Takaharu Hachiya, Toshio Hanaoka, Kazuhiro Nakanishi, Adrien Ledanois, Keiji Suzuki, Simon Chamberland, Joan Heithfield, Kenneth Heathfield, Jessica De Marco, Lucas Sirois, Ewan Widgeinton, Alexandre Bergeron, Mackenzie Falcombridge, Federico Aletta, Sayuki Matsumoto, Edward L. Papazian;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 161 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Enter the Void” on the website imdb.com
“Groove”, 2000
Director: Greg Harrison
Set during one night at an underground rave in San Francisco, this film follows a group of young people as they navigate love, friendship, and self-discovery amidst the pulsating beats and drug-fueled atmosphere.
Starring: Chris Ferreira, Mackenzie Firgens, Elizabeth Sun, Steve Van Wormer, Dmitri Ponce, Ari Gold, Aaron Langridge, Wendy Turner, Bradley K. Ross, Rachel True, Denny Kirkwood, Matthew Bernsen, Bing Ching, Jeff Witzke, Jill Jose, Chris Stone, Lola Glaudini, Hamish Linklater, Angelo Spizzirri, Lew Baldwin, Jonathan Muller, Eva Christiansen, Sam Trychin, Jina Park, Jason Zemlicka, Noah Zisman, Sona-Rebecca Klein, Vincent Riverside, Pete Davison, Karl Ackerman, Christoph Klotz, Brian Behlendorf, Polywog, Nick Offerman, Justin Baumrucker, Ed Abratowski, Forest Green, No Battles, Wade Hampton, Monty Luke, Melissa Leebove, Jeffrey Crane, Casey Landis, Rob Schröder, Shranny, John Digweed, Matthew Tyreman, Brian Benson;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Groove” on the website imdb.com
“24 Hour Party People”, 2001
Director: Michael Winterbottom
This film chronicles the rise of the Manchester music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the emergence of the rave culture and the influence of drugs on the music and club scene.
Starring: Steve Coogan, Lennie James, Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, Kate Magowan, Danny Cunningham, Simon Pegg, John Thomson, Nigel Pivaro, Martin Hancock, Mark Windows, John Simm, Ralf Little, Dave Gorman, Paul Popplewell, Ron Cook, Raymond Waring, Peter Kay, Mark E. Smith, Naomi Radcliffe, Tim Horrocks, Rob Brydon, Howard Devoto, Collette Cooper, Tracy Cunliffe, Enzo Cilenti, Duncan Whitworth, Michael Mitchell Jr., Claire Lever, Neil Bell, Aidan Cross, Elizabeth Kelly, Darren Tighe, Chris Coghill, Anna Tyborczyk, Peter Gunn, Dan Hope, Nick Clarke, Margi Clarke, Mani, Smug Roberts, Clint Boon, Toby Salaman, Conrad Murray, Martin Coogan, Rowetta Satchell, Kieran O'Brien, Paul Ryder;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
These films offer a mix of entertainment, introspection, and cautionary tales, shedding light on the highs and lows of the drug and rave subculture.
The films about drugs and raves are a striking reflection of the societal fascination and concern with the darker side of nightlife culture. These movies delve into the complexities of addiction, the allure of escapism, and the consequences of hedonistic behavior, offering a raw and unflinching portrayal of the highs and lows of drug-fueled revelry. From gritty dramas to psychedelic visual feasts, these films challenge viewers to confront the seductive yet perilous allure of the rave scene, serving as cautionary tales while also providing a platform for deeper exploration of human desires and vulnerabilities. Whether condemning or romanticizing the subculture, these films ignite a dialogue about the perils of excess and the quest for transcendence in a world of pulsating lights and pounding beats.
