Watch: Documentary From Queer Filmmaker Highlights Corks Underground Techno Scene
A new documentary introducing Cork's underground techno scene has been released in summer 2023. Produced by queer filmmaker McLean Black, the film features the voices of several key figures from the Cryptic community, the group behind the new rave wave in the Rebel District.
The group began organizing events in May and has since held illegal parties in churches, warehouses and other undisclosed locations.
Filmed in black and white, the documentary includes interviews with Jamie Behan, Melanie Higgins (MEJMI), David O'Neill (Doiléir) and DJ Kira. Cryptek organizers also shared their views, as did enthusiastic Ciprian Valentovic.
Attendees highlighted the differences between traditional club nights and underground techno nights and praised the inclusive nature of the scene. They also discussed misconceptions about raves and illegal drug use and considered measures needed to ensure the safety of crowds at events.
The documentary revolves around oral interviews and cryptic footage filmed at clandestine parties as well as at local locations and in the homes of the people involved. The photos and video above are courtesy of MacLean Black, who devotes much of her artwork to her community.
Speaking to Four/Four magazine, they explained their inspiration behind the project: “It's hard to pinpoint because there are a lot of reasons for it, but when I was 15 or 16 I discovered an old documentary about Vice.” I find the illegal rave scene and media in the UK very interesting.
“At the time, I had started doing techno music and hadn't even taken up photography as a hobby. I had no intention of making my own version at the time, but for one reason or another, the documentary made an impression on me. “The Head,” they continued.
“After four or five years I moved from Galway to Cork, and in Cork, especially in the Cork techno scene, I was able to photograph something I was passively interested in, something I was paid to do until it became a reality.” It became my main source of income. I decided early on that my first big project would be something that would shake up the techno music scene in Cork, and that was the inspiration for my first solo exhibition, Faoi Thalamh, as well as a documentary.
“The Cork music scene has done so much for me and given me a sense of belonging and I wanted to try to explain that world through this documentary,” Black concludes.
Watch the full documentary about Cork's underground techno music scene below!
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