Barnes & Noble

At times, this 85-minute documentary by Jon Reiss about rave cultural politics is oddly reminiscent of other fine low-budget rock 'n' roll exposés such as The Decline of Western Civilization or even underground cult fave Heavy Metal Parking Lot. Meandering through predawn rave parties, the script is improvised by the people who live it, from kids clad in Muppet bags, visors, and pacifiers to some of the most progressive and innovative artists in the genre. These include DJ Keoki, Freaky Chakra, DJ Spooky, Crystal Method, Scanner, and Carl Cox, who also provide their pontifications about the music and the movement. While the film briefly addresses issues such as drug use and the scene's peace-and-love side effects, Better Living… works best when it digs deep into the history of electronic music. Interviews with Wolfgang Flur of Kraftwerk, Roni Size, and Meat Beat Manifesto's Jack Dangers help size up the art form's roots and shed light on the relationship between man and machine. Reiss proves adept in covering a lot of territory in mad dashes, which makes Better Living Through Circuitry about as smart and lean an examination the movement as you're ever likely to see. Glen Sansone

All Movie Guide

Rave culture began in the early 1980s as a nexus point where underground dance grooves and alternative electronic music met. It has since grown into a worldwide movement that has had a major impact on contemporary music, emerging from the underground into mainstream acceptance, with Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers scoring high on the charts in the United States, and artists like Madonna, Eric Clapton and U2 all dipping their toes into the style. Better Living Through Circuitry explores the myriad avenues of rave culture and its many related musical styles -- including trip hop, acid house, jungle/drum & bass, industrial and electronica -- and features interviews with innovators and leading artists in the field, including Wolfgang Flür of Kraftwerk, Genesis P-Orridge of Psychic TV, Moby, Roni Size, DJ Spooky, Frankie Bones and the Crystal Method. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 022891066699
• Source: MVD VISUAL
• Region Code: 0
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Sales Rank: 44,955

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