Locked Off
Locked Off, a co-production with VICE News, examines the British rave party scene, how it has evolved since the 1980s, and how it will survive in the face of strict government regulations in the coming years.
New legislation has managed to close half of England’s clubs over the past decade amid growing concerns about drug abuse and public unrest. This has had a profound effect on the country’s nightlife, as well as spawning an underground movement of rave enthusiasts.
The filmmakers delve into the mysterious but thriving rave culture and uncover how it works. Organizers are checking social media platforms and invading every abandoned space that can accommodate them without drawing too much attention. They are always vigilant against law enforcement, but often cannot avoid it completely. Arrests and fines ensued. In one high-profile case covered in the film, violence erupted as police in riot gear arrived on the scene.
What’s so special about young people’s desire to party late into the night? Are regulations and anti-rave laws causing more trouble than they’re worth? These are the core concerns of the film.
For their part, the police say their action is a necessary step in curbing the scourge of illegal drugs, property damage and general disturbance of the peace. Revelers feel that law enforcement has gone too far in their policing methods to negatively influence them; their aggressive presence provokes incidents they claim to protect themselves from.
The roots of paranoia run so deep that during the investigation, the filmmakers themselves became targets of the police, as they were warned to avoid the party. Some revelers and party organizers were also unhappy with their coverage, arguing it would draw unwanted attention and scrutiny to their events.
Locked Off is a fascinating portrait of youth culture, fueled by many of the same instincts that defined previous generations, including carefree hedonism, the need to socialize and connect without restraint, and the desire to rebel against wasteful freedom
