Richie Hawtin has produced a short film set in the early ‘90s Detroit techno scene.
Kids Like Us explores "identity, dislocation, and connection through the lens of techno culture", drawing on Hawtin's personal recollections and history with the movement.
The film, which is directed and written by Michigan-based filmmaker Luke Jaden and shot on 35mm, shines a light on Hawtin's era-defining Spastik parties at Detroit’s abandoned Packard Plant, during which he debuted his Plastikman alias.
Attendees at the legendary Plastikman party included The Blessed Madonna and Daniel Miller of Mute.
Jaden said in a press release that he has always been "deeply inspired" by Detroit's early '90s underground techno culture.
"It’s a scene where you feel totally free to be yourself and it’s one of the most welcoming, inviting communities to be around: family. The darkness. The single strobe light. The pounding music shaking the walls. The dance floor represents this womb for acceptance and freedom. Not just by society, but with yourself," he said.
Kids Like Us was shot at a real-life techno party in Detroit. "The goal was to make this film feel as real and as authentic as possible to an actual techno party experience," explained Jaden.
Hawtin said he could tell Jaden was "fascinated" by the stories of Detroit's nascent rave scene.
"Luke focused on deep archaeological style research to expose the lore’s smallest details and the emotions of those times that still lingered in the participates, and used these to continue honing his story to reflect an honest and engaging narrative of what had transpired," Hawtin added.
Watch Kids Like Us via Nowness here.
Last year saw the 30th-anniversary reissue of Hawtin's minimal techno classic 'Musik', originally released under his Plastikman alias.
He previously reissued his classic Plastikman record 'Sheet One' in 2023 to mark its 30th anniversary. Read DJ Mag's features about 'Sheet One' and another Plastikman record, 'Consumed', here.
Find 10 essential techno documentaries to watch online now here.