“Groove”, 2000
Director: Greg Harrison
This film portrays a single night in the San Francisco underground rave scene, following multiple characters as they prepare and attend an illegal warehouse party, capturing the spirit and the relationships within the rave community.
Starring: Chris Ferreira, Mackenzie Firgens, Elizabeth Sun, Steve Van Wormer, Dmitri Ponce, Ari Gold, Aaron Langridge, Wendy Turner, Bradley K. Ross, Rachel True;
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
“Human Traffic”, 1999
Director: Justin Kerrigan
A British film that delves into the lives of five friends during the rave culture heyday, exploring their relationships against the backdrop of clubbing and the search for identity amidst the music and mayhem.
Starring: John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Nicola Reynolds, Danny Dyer, Dean Davies, Peter Albert, Jan Anderson, Terence Beesley, Sarah Blackburn;
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
“24 Hour Party People”, 2001
Director: Michael Winterbottom
This biographical comedy-drama film presents the story of Tony Wilson, founder of the Factory Records label. Though it focuses on the Manchester music scene, it covers its transition from punk to the rave scene and the rise of the Hacienda nightclub.
Starring: Steve Coogan, Lennie James, Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, Kate Magowan, Danny Cunningham, Simon Pegg, John Thomson;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“It's All Gone Pete Tong”, 2004
Director: Michael Dowse
A mockumentary-style film about a fictional DJ who loses his hearing, “It's All Gone Pete Tong” gives a comedic yet poignant look into the life of a DJ deeply embedded in rave and club culture.
Starring: Paul Kaye, Beatriz Batarda, Kate Magowan, Mike Wilmot, Neil Maskell, Monica Maja, Pete Tong, Ron Lloy Hugh Elliston, Dan Antopolski, Tim Plester;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, music, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “It's All Gone Pete Tong” on the website imdb.com
“Party Monster”, 2003
Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Based on the true story of club promoter Michael Alig, this film dives into the New York City club kids' scene, a vibrant offshoot of the rave movement, characterized by audacious costumes, outlandish personalities, and tumultuous party life.
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Chloë Sevigny, Marilyn Manson, Seth Green, Diana Scarwid, Dillon Woolley, Dylan McDermott, Mia Kirshner, Wilmer Valderrama, Elliot Kriss;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Party Monster” on the website imdb.com
“Go”, 1999
Director: Doug Liman
A dark comedy film with interlocking stories that pivot around a drug deal gone awry at a rave. The film captures elements of late '90s rave culture and youth lifestyle.
Starring: Sarah Polley, Timothy Olyphant, William Fichtner, Katie Holmes, Scott Wolf, Jay Mohr, Desmond Askew, Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer, Nathan Bexton;
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
“Berlin Calling”, 2008
Director: Hannes Stöhr
This German film follows a DJ and producer who tours the world, highlighting the club scene in Berlin. It also tackles issues like drug addiction and the pressures of success in the music industry.
Starring: Paul Kalkbrenner, Rita Lengyel, Corinna Harfouch, Araba Walton, Peter Schneider, Rolf Peter Kahl, Henriette Müller, Udo Kroschwald, Megan Gay, Max Mauff;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Berlin Calling” on the website imdb.com
“We Are Your Friends”, 2015
Director: Max Joseph
Although not purely about the underground rave scene, it follows a young DJ trying to find success in the Electronic Dance Music scene and captures elements of the modern party and festival culture.
Starring: Zac Efron, Wes Bentley, Emily Ratajkowski, Jonny Weston, Shiloh Fernandez, Alex Shaffer, Jon Bernthal, Alicia Coppola, Wiley M. Pickett, Jon Abrahams;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
“Rise of the Footsoldier”, 2007
Director: Julian Gilbey
A British crime film that, while mainly focusing on the criminal aspects, also has parts showcasing the rave scene and how it intersected with the criminal underworld during the late '80s and early '90s.
Starring: Ricci Harnett, Terry Stone, Craig Fairbrass, Roland Manookian, Coralie Rose, Neil Maskell, Billy Murray, Ian Virgo, Kierston Wareing, Patrick Regis;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: action, drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Rise of the Footsoldier” on the website imdb.com
“Beat”, 2000
Director: Gary Walkow
This film touches on the American rave scene, following a reformed young criminal who's trying to stay clean but gets pulled back into the world of drug running in the Los Angeles rave scene.
Starring: Courtney Love, Kiefer Sutherland, Lisa Sheridan, Patricia Llaca, Steve Hedden, Ron Livingston, Norman Reedus, Daniel Martínez, Kyle Secor, Pedro Gonzalez;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
More information about the film “Beat” on the website imdb.com
These films offer various takes on rave culture, from comedies to gritty dramas, reflecting the rich tapestry of experiences found within this vibrant community.
The exploration of the rave scene through film has not only provided a vibrant and pulsating visualization of an underground culture but also a profound commentary on the human need for connection, liberation, and escapism. Whether it's through the euphoric highs and tumultuous lows experienced by characters, the kinetic energy of the dance floor, or the eclectic soundscapes that define its atmosphere, these films captivate and immerse us in a world where the norms of society are challenged and redefined. As a reflection of a movement that continues to evolve, these cinematic journeys embody the spirit of rave culture: a relentless pursuit of freedom, unity, and an undying love for music. Through their narrative depth, aesthetic boldness, and emotional resonance, films about the rave scene serve not only as time capsules of an era but as ongoing invitations to experience the transformative power of music and dance, reminding us of the universal desire to belong and to feel alive.
