An intelligent and analytical documentary, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CIRCUITRY presents an intellectual overview of Rave culture. (A Rave is an all-night dance party to electronic music attended by large groups of teenagers.) Using organized montages of interviews with club kids, party promoters, and musicians, the film examines the history of Rave's techno music, and incorporates performance footage of musicians. Interviews with the now-ubiquitous Moby, Wolfgang Flur of Kraftwerk, and former punk-rocker and Acid House "inventor" Genesis P-Orridge (an eloquent British transvestite), explain the idea of Raves as restorative rituals, that emphasize community and spirituality (DJ Spooky elaborates), and the musical and scientific connection between traditional shaman drum circles and techno music. The wide prevalence of drug use is also discussed as are the use of advertising logos for posters and party invites, and the way that the teens embrace childish habits--carrying pacifiers, kiddie nap-sacs, and stuffed animals--as a way of reclaiming the innocence, creative impulses, and unconditional love experienced in early childhood. Shot on digital video and transferred to 35mm film stock, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CIRCUITRY is a professional, entertaining, and interesting look into an otherwise-underground realm of pop culture.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Filmmakers
Interviews - 1. The Crystal Method - Scott's Heavy Metal Kiss Adventure
2. Wolfgang Flur - Kraftwerk's first American tour
3. Roni Size - Bristol's "Basement Project" youth program
4. Genesis P. Orridge - "Jack the Tab"
5. DJ Dan
6. Uberzone
Biographies 1. Cast and Crew
Computer Animation Reels
Full Motion Menus
Additional Audio:
Soundtrack Sampler Page
Text/Photo Galleries:
Virtual Flyer Gallery

Jon Reiss: Documentary Director, "Better Living Through Circuitry"

Brian McNelis: Producer
Stuart Swezey: Producer

Erik Zimmerman: Editor

"...A clear-eyed history of the music and the phenomenon..."
"...It's got a good beat, you can dance to it..." -- Rating: B
"...A solid, energetically paced look at the rebellious counterculture that has sprung up around the innovative new wave of home-programmed electronic music..."
"...What Reiss shows us is intriguing -- yes, and thrilling..."