The 1999 cult classic that captured the Welsh rave scene
In short: Beyond the confusion of its name, Human Traffic is a seminal British comedy-drama. It captures the high-energy, drug-fuelled weekend of five friends in Cardiff, avoiding moralising to instead recreate the specific vibe and mood of the 1990s dance movement.
Released in 1999, the film was written and directed by Justin Kerrigan, who was 25 years old at the time. The production was a significant financial undertaking; while it began with an original budget of £340,000, the final cost reached £2.2 million. Despite this, it proved to be a success, grossing £2.5 million in the UK alone and finding further life through VHS and DVD sales. The production eventually exceeded its initial budget significantly. It achieved cult status, particularly among various subcultures like the rave scene.
The ensemble cast features John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, and Nicola Reynolds. It also marked the film debut of Danny Dyer. The story follows five twenty-something friends—Jip, Koop, Nina, Lulu, and Moff—as they navigate a weekend of escapism from their daily lives in Cardiff, Wales. The film explores themes of coming of age, nightclub culture, and the social commentary of the 1990s. The narrative is provided by John Simm. The plot highlights the characters' desire to escape the misery of their everyday existence.
The film is notable for its connection to the 'Cool Cymru' era of Welsh arts and its refusal to judge the dance lifestyle. Instead, it focuses on the atmosphere of the movement spanning from the 'Second Summer of Love' in 1988–89 to the film's release. The soundtrack is equally significant, featuring contemporary dance producers such as Fatboy Slim, Underworld, and Carl Cox, who also makes a cameo as the manager of the Asylum club. The soundtrack includes notable artists like Orbital and Primal Scream. Additionally, the director himself appears in several scenes throughout the movie.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Human Traffic
- Also: Wikidata — Human Traffic · CC0
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