Beats

Best documentary of the year! I had high expectations. What I got was the most visceral flashback imaginable. I’m not knowledgeable in film, so I’m not equipped to critique the cinematography or screenplay, etc. I’ll leave that for far more capable people. But I know this,……. I KNOW this film, as do so many others. From the epilogue titles of the secondary rave characters, where every narrative was broadly familiar, be that in fact or some grapevine fish tale, to the two central characters whose stories could have been replaced by the thousands who will identify with this film without it detracting from the eventual point, and main event of this film. It is the incredible detail, the absolute perfect perspective; just the most knowledgeable insight into a life style which felt like a movement to this generation as it has felt for many others, if not all. It is the balance of the film. The people you encountered who brought danger to the narrative, whether associated first/second/third hand or by loose lipped reputation. They were the mean minority, at the far end of the character spectrum. Infrequency in proximity didn’t detract from how constantly aware you were of potential danger. Alongside the casual criminality of the masses, drugs, driving, petty theft, general comfort with the rules being bent so long as you weren’t an ass about it. The tender loving kiss; free from thoughts of foreplay. The gender interaction. The breaking down of male anxieties. The bonding of people, without the complications of the carnal. The detail, the tone, the stories, all of it, perfect. However, it was all taking you to one place, as the central focus of any documentary should. Nothing else existed for the short period people entered this world. It was about that dancefloor. It was about that transcendental unity and introspection. From the trepidation before you get on the ride to seeing music in colours. The accuracy in its every detail is sublime; having a sound track selected by selectors with the most exquisite taste, never faltering throughout. But above its pure brilliance was the gut wrenching memory of that total and utter release. That experience of absolute freedom on levels the conscious has difficulty dealing with. Chapter titled in graffiti “Your fear is holding you back” is an invitation to let go; it is a reminder to many of us and it is a cry of sorrow for those so watched, stored and liked. Just for its visceral accuracy of capturing and documenting the emotional and spiritual journey of one familiar night this film deserves film of the year.

Most underated film of the decade, so upset it lost its spotlight to the underwhelming american film by the same name.

Probably become a bit of a British cult classic. Its really natural and understated and is a real tribute to an era and culture at the end of the 80s to the early 90s and that is now lost...