“Human Traffic” (1999) is a British film that follows the lives of five friends over the course of one weekend. They are trapped in a “hedonistic bubble”, struggling to escape their mundane 9-5 lives and find meaning through partying, drugs, and music. The movie provides a raw look at the rave culture of the late 90s, exploring themes of friendship, sexuality, and identity.
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Review
It’s Friday night and you’re out with your friends, ready to let loose after a long workweek. You’re all dressed up, the music is blasting, and the drinks are flowing. Suddenly, you’re transported to the world of “Human Traffic,” a 1999 film that explores the highs and lows of being young and alive.
Directed by Justin Kerrigan, “Human Traffic” follows a group of five friends as they navigate the drug-fueled club scene in Cardiff, Wales over the course of one wild weekend. The film stars John Simm as Jip, a 24-year-old who works in a record store and dreams of becoming a DJ. Alongside him are his girlfriend Lulu (Lorraine Pilkington), his best friend Koop (Shaun Parkes), Nina (Nicola Reynolds), and Moff (Danny Dyer).
The storyline is simple enough: Jip is feeling unfulfilled in his dead-end job and relationship, and seeks escape through drugs and parties. Along with his crew of misfit friends, he journeys through various clubs, raves, and house parties in search of something more meaningful.
The feel-good soundtrack is what really sets “Human Traffic” apart from other films in its genre. It features tracks from iconic dance music acts like Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, Primal Scream, Orbital, Leftfield, and others. The score was so well-received that it reached number three on the UK Albums Chart upon its release.
“Human Traffic” earned rave reviews upon its initial release for its realistic portrayal of youth culture at the turn of the millennium. But beyond its flashy exterior lies a deeper commentary on substance abuse and escapism.
Kerrigan said in an interview with The Guardian that he was inspired to make “Human Traffic” after seeing Kesha’s documentary about Ecstasy usage in Britain. While many films have attempted to address drug use in a moralistic way, Kerrigan wanted to show the reality of how drugs can be used for social bonding and exploration.
“I was approached by people who said, ‘You can’t make a film about drugs without giving a clear message about how bad they are,'” he told The Guardian. “I just thought, well there are different ways of communicating messages. To give a very straightforward message at the end of the film is not something I’m interested in doing.”
One of the most iconic scenes in “Human Traffic” is when Jip delivers an impassioned monologue about what it means to be alive. “The weekend has landed! All that exists now is clubs, drugs, pubs and parties,” he declares. “It’s like life’s ultimate hyped-up version of itself. It’s like it needs to do this to feel alive, you know?”
This quote captures the spirit and energy of the film perfectly. Jip’s words resonate strongly with anyone who has ever sought refuge in nightlife or struggled to find meaning in their daily routine.
Despite its critical success, “Human Traffic” was not without controversy. Some critics accused it of glorifying drug use and promoting dangerous behavior. Kerrigan defended his film by saying that he simply wanted to show an honest depiction of what young people were experiencing at the time.
“We’re not ‘pro-drugs’ – we’re pro-youth,” he said in an interview with BBC News. “We’re showing what happens to people if they take too many drugs – they have bad trips and they feel ill.”
But beyond any debates about morality or message lies a simple truth: “Human Traffic” is just plain fun. Its colorful visuals, catchy soundtrack, and charismatic cast make for a rollicking good time.
If you’re looking for a movie that perfectly encapsulates the club culture of the late 90s while still being relevant today, look no further than “Human Traffic.” It’s a film that will make you laugh, dance, and maybe even shed a tear or two. And at its core, it’s a celebration of what it means to be young and alive.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 99
- Release : 1999-06-04
- Genre : Comedy, Drama
- Cast : John Simm as Jip, Shaun Parkes as Koop, Nicola Reynolds as Nina, Lorraine Pilkington as Lulu, Danny Dyer as Moff
- Crew : Glenn Freemantle as Supervising Sound Editor, Tom Sayers as Sound Editor, Gillian Dodders as Dialogue Editor, Sue Jones as Casting Director, Stuart Gazzard as Additional Editing
- Popularity 8.909
- Budget : $600,000
- Revenue : $4,000,000
- Company : Irish Screen, Fruit Salad Films
- Summary : Five twenty-something friends spend a drug-fueled weekend in Cardiff, Wales.
- Tagline : The Weekend has Landed!
