Northern Soul - The Film - News, mainstream and more

Another teen trend that will disappear quickly into the mists of time, just like the mid-late 70's & again with Quadrophenia cult, no one will ever get it right on film because a lot of info is withheld due to our age, standing in the community & embarrassment, amongst other things, plus who had a bloody car then, other than nicked & did you ever dance in such lush surroundings, Victorian rooms & all. I hope they all stick it but only time will tell but I wish I could still dance like that for hours on end, infact days but the old knee & hip joints won't allow & if I did a back drop I'd look like a stranded turtle.

Spot

not sure really get the car reference, as the youtube clip is just a vid of the real world dance club thing

Again lots of film has tried to emulate the magic of the Torch, Mecca, and Casino etc during the golden era as most on this site remember, but I’m afraid up until now I’ve not had that bug in my tummy feeling about any. We must remember that we were mostly from different towns & city’s we brought together different fashions and attitudes towards dance styles & musical fashions but we all seemed to gel for a common reason (Black Soul Music). We danced side by side with people we had never met but apologised if we stepped in some ones way. Some watched in amazement at the dance moves of others, some joined their moves with others some were there for the atmosphere some for the friendship some for the thrill of staying out all night some even for the paraphernalia but we all just mixed better than a box of liquorice allsorts & that’s what a film about Northern Soul needs to capture.

Another thread on here started a few days ago. Might want to merge?

was looking at doing that Matt

but its quite awkward as this one is tied to an article

and as all the comments in your thread are older than the article date

it wont work without a lot of deep changing dates etc

This film is cashing in on what has and always will be an underground movement. If it's anything like Soulboy then it's really a total waste of bloody time a lot of fuss over nothing.

Elaine who has written the script and is directing this is far from cashing in - it's something she clearly has a passion for, has been on the scene for years and was one of the few who was going to nighters before the majority decided to return, so dedication isn't an issue. In my view if we're ever going to give a chance to anyone to create a feature film about the 70s scene it should be from someone on the scene - and Elaine most certainly is.

I'd expect it to be significantly different from Soulboy which quite simply was sh!te in my view - I mean just look at the detail, she's training youngsters from scratch, over months at her own expense to get it right rather than wheeling in a load of late 40s / early 50s duffers to film in soft focus to hide the wrinkles (I can say this - I'm 47 next week ).

The scene in my view has never been portrayed in a favorable light, even though some may have had the best intentions, and I'm not expecting a 100% historically accurate portrayal with this, but if I ever had hope for a film about the 70s scene it would be this one.

I'm really looking forward to this

Another teen trend that will disappear quickly into the mists of time, just like the mid-late 70's & again with Quadrophenia cult, no one will ever get it right on film because a lot of info is withheld due to our age, standing in the community & embarrassment, amongst other things, plus who had a bloody car then, other than nicked & did you ever dance in such lush surroundings, Victorian rooms & all. I hope they all stick it but only time will tell but I wish I could still dance like that for hours on end, infact days but the old knee & hip joints won't allow & if I did a back drop I'd look like a stranded turtle.

Thing is though the mid late 70s media helped quite a few of us discover the scene (This England for me). Few years later I think a few others became Mods inspired in part by seeing Quad and graduated to the scene as well. A few of those crazy teens stuck around for a decade or 3

There seems to be a gap between what is really going on and what people think is going on. If you went to the Northern Soul Night at the Komedia in Brighton over the bank holiday. There was great music and lots of people standing around looking good but very little understanding of what a Northern Soul event is about. In the main there are just a few good dancers and the rest well either haven't got a clue or shall we say a little out of shape.

On the south coast there are some great clubs Southampton Portsmouth and Bournemouth have some of the best.

This film is cashing in on what has and always will be an underground movement. If it's anything like Soulboy then it's really a total waste of bloody time a lot of fuss over nothing.

While I completely agree with your statement re SoulBoy, I am fairly confident this won't be as bad. Everyone seems to think that film got flack for its NS connections but in reality it was poorly written, poorly researched and poorly put together, which was its downfall, not its trouser length etc.

Elaine has been on scene all her life and therefore, is doing this from the inside literally, so that surely gives it a head start on any others, and that surely means it can't be called just cashing in. While I know little on that side of things, I suspect very few people make a specialist film to get rich, given the time energy and personal cost in just getting something like this off the ground. From what I can see she is dedicated to making a film about something she loves, a pretty good start I would have thought.

I am not sure about your first comment either, and the connection, it is a film not an all nighter, so surely it should be judged on how well it does things like any other films, so if it stirs our emotions and memories, and makes us feel like we are back in the time, that means it is a good film. I think like all films it can only be a celluloid representation, so therefore detail attention etc do matter, and I think from what you see here Elaine is investing heavily in that on top of her own lifelong involvement.

Like I said about SoulBoy when it was at this stage, it will be great to have a film that represents that time well and shows just how exciting it was. SoulBoy didn't but am very hopefull this will.

Oops Mr Byrne, snap, except you were more eloquent than me as ever.

Hope you are well.

Elaine who has written the script and is directing this is far from cashing in - it's something she clearly has a passion for, has been on the scene for years and was one of the few who was going to nighters before the majority decided to return, so dedication isn't an issue. In my view if we're ever going to give a chance to anyone to create a feature film about the 70s scene it should be from someone on the scene - and Elaine most certainly is.

I'd expect it to be significantly different from Soulboy which quite simply was sh!te in my view - I mean just look at the detail, she's training youngsters from scratch, over months at her own expense to get it right rather than wheeling in a load of late 40s / early 50s duffers to film in soft focus to hide the wrinkles (I can say this - I'm 47 next week ).

The scene in my view has never been portrayed in a favorable light, even though some may have had the best intentions, and I'm not expecting a 100% historically accurate portrayal with this, but if I ever had hope for a film about the 70s scene it would be this one.

I'm really looking forward to this

Well said that man - I'm looking forward to this and even moreso when it's someone with a direct connection with the scene doing it and I also think the dancers are bloody good as well!!!

the story of the REAL scene back in the day with warts and all will/can never be told properly as time goes on it gets more sugary and more like how people would like to remember it,rather than how it was. Nowadays so much emphasis is put on the dancing,whereas we all know that whilst there were good dancers/ing it wasn,t the be all ....even back then there was really two scenes those that knew and those that never.......the scene as regards those that knew will always be portrayed as the dark under belly.....when in fact it was what it was all about.....even over and above dare l say it the music. tezza

It's refreshing to know that someone with a real passion for the scene and it's music is behind this. Replicating youth / sub culture on film is never going to be easy as so much is lost in time.

I do find the dance instruction a bit cringworthy (I keep hearing a voice saying ' Northern soul cost's and right here is where you start paying' LOL) but it's great to see those young faces attending the 'Dance Club' and looking like they are having a ball - I hope they keep doing it for reasons other than a career in the movies.

Good luck to whoever is behind it and don't let the miserable old sods on here get you down .

Yes, this is about passion and....risk! Maybe I need to contact them and mention I work for a large satellite broadcaster and see if they can get together somehow. Not that I know anybody in the movie departments, but.......I can wander around the campus selling my vinyl and 'engaging' for them, maybe accidentally bumping into a movie buff. You can always tell who they are at the coffee stand: they say 'lartey' rather than 'latte' (which is an 'a' as in apple pronunciation, plus the double tt's are pronounced slightly separated!).

So is it a Documentary about Northern Soul or is it a feature film with Northern Soul in it?

A bit like doing a film about kids in mid 90's London and calling the film Brit Pop. it's presumptuous

Thats why This is England is so good because the fact the lead role found friends in the Skinhead movement and it's darker side. Maybe Meadows should have called it Skinheads.

Just think it's all a bit obvious Quadrophenia was about a mass appeal fashion and the backdrop of the Brighton riots. Can't remember to much like that going on around Wigan it was more about getting on and friendships.

I guess like most things you just get jumped on if you have a opinion. I look forward to seeing it but I imaging it will only appeal to those who are already converted.

From what I read Its a film about Northern Soul, I'd guess with characters in it that tied into the plot and narrative with the Northern Soul scene as the glue. Only guessing though as its not been made yet.

No one will jump on you having an opinion, but they might have one or two of their own though

Most importantly the geezer on the right of the photo's my lad Will; temporarily a Manchester barman awaiting the thespian calls.

Elaine's doing this very professionally and creditably; all the music producers song rights will be covered of course.

Right I will stick my neck out & tell ya now, if anyone can do NS justice within the context of a movie then its Elaine......she will go the extra yard & has/does live the life, she 'gets it' & you better believe it........I cant wait for this to come out, the lengths Elaine has gone to, to ensure the credibility of this movie are incredible, the difference between this & Soulboy will be like comparing Footsee to the Mellow Souls........every time I see the footage of the dancers, the hairs on the back of my neck go up.....just looks right to me, the fact these folk are diggin' it shows.......go Elaine !!!

Best Russ

looks to be a great film, cant wait to see... second that

go Elaine !!!

Mal.C.

Again lots of film has tried to emulate the magic of the Torch, Mecca, and Casino etc during the golden era as most on this site remember, but I’m afraid up until now I’ve not had that bug in my tummy feeling about any. We must remember that we were mostly from different towns & city’s we brought together different fashions and attitudes towards dance styles & musical fashions but we all seemed to gel for a common reason (Black Soul Music). We danced side by side with people we had never met but apologised if we stepped in some ones way. Some watched in amazement at the dance moves of others, some joined their moves with others some were there for the atmosphere some for the friendship some for the thrill of staying out all night some even for the paraphernalia but we all just mixed better than a box of liquorice allsorts & that’s what a film about Northern Soul needs to capture.

agree and hope it does

Another teen trend that will disappear quickly into the mists of time, just like the mid-late 70's & again with Quadrophenia cult, no one will ever get it right on film because a lot of info is withheld due to our age, standing in the community & embarrassment, amongst other things, plus who had a bloody car then, other than nicked & did you ever dance in such lush surroundings, Victorian rooms & all. I hope they all stick it but only time will tell but I wish I could still dance like that for hours on end, infact days but the old knee & hip joints won't allow & if I did a back drop I'd look like a stranded turtle.

Dont think it will become a teenie trend Spot the kids today have way more exiting things to do these days with the club scene and open all hours

I had a van.... no driving Lic though used to borrow a mates till i passed mine ( the bobbies were easy to fool in them days ...) and i got pulled a fair few times .... once with Bub in the back along with 4 others ( twas only a Marina )

Right I will stick my neck out & tell ya now, if anyone can do NS justice within the context of a movie then its Elaine......she will go the extra yard & has/does live the life, she 'gets it' & you better believe it........I cant wait for this to come out, the lengths Elaine has gone to, to ensure the credibility of this movie are incredible, the difference between this & Soulboy will be like comparing Footsee to the Mellow Souls........every time I see the footage of the dancers, the hairs on the back of my neck go up.....just looks right to me, the fact these folk are diggin' it shows.......go Elaine !!!

Best Russ

Im hoping she does a good job with it ................ f##kin soul boy

I seen you drive Rob--did you ever pass that test ??

I went with the lads who had Cars-miners around here had tons of cash, you could also take your test at 16 in the early 70s. plus being a skinny bastard they'd squeeze me in !

This filum isn't as "in your face", Wigan Bags ,and all as SB was, low key tasters, quality sound track and the small clip that was on here recently certainly hit the spot.

musical sound track sounds good too, only one thing could it be just Too Good ¹ to be commercially viable ? It would end up like a cult film -which may please us on here !!!!!!

good luck Elaine-I'm sure you're lurking in the wings !

Rob

Another teen trend that will disappear quickly into the mists of time, just like the mid-late 70's & again with Quadrophenia cult, no one will ever get it right on film because a lot of info is withheld due to our age, standing in the community & embarrassment, amongst other things, plus who had a bloody car then, other than nicked & did you ever dance in such lush surroundings, Victorian rooms & all. I hope they all stick it but only time will tell but I wish I could still dance like that for hours on end, infact days but the old knee & hip joints won't allow & if I did a back drop I'd look like a stranded turtle.

Dead right as regards the car thing and there are threads on Soulsource which tell it like it really was in the 70s for lots of us, but also dead right with the bit that many prefer not to have that side of things discussed honestly now!

Looking forward to seeing it when it's completed Elaine.

There seems to be a gap between what is really going on and what people think is going on. If you went to the Northern Soul Night at the Komedia in Brighton over the bank holiday. There was great music and lots of people standing around looking good but very little understanding of what a Northern Soul event is about. In the main there are just a few good dancers and the rest well either haven't got a clue or shall we say a little out of shape.

On the south coast there are some great clubs Southampton Portsmouth and Bournemouth have some of the best.

This film is cashing in on what has and always will be an underground movement. If it's anything like Soulboy then it's really a total waste of bloody time a lot of fuss over nothing.

Sadly I've been to similar 'fancy dress parties' where soft as sh*te looking skins stood on the dancefloor, quaffing larger and looking embarassed whie they gingerly tapped their feet. Its not all like that though as different stokes has shown. The crowd were most definatly up for it in there on sat and at all the others I've attended.

Just not sure why you would make a film surely it needs to have a story and the fact that it's set in a Northern Soul scene is secondary. It just seems to be like those patches you would see during the 1970s that said Mods on them. Sort of labelling itself as the brand.

The Casino was just last man standing rather than a starting point. There were other clubs all over the North.

Just would like to know what message the film is trying to say because there has been no mention of the story just how much attention too detail and authentic. I just thought for all its faults Quadrophenia had a story.

This film will be judged by others (non Northern Soul) on the story not the attention too detail.

Not sure what you mean here, the lines below are a direct lift from the link Mike put up and would suggest a fairly obvious narrative structure, I think it makes sense of the choice of name also and explains it is not a one dimensional name. Not sure what you mean about Casino either, lots of films are about specific points in time, as was Quadrophenia, and thats a good example, I was very anti-mod at that time but loved the film, as it was about people like me!

I think most film makers make films because they have a story to tell and this one looks exactly that,the major difficutly about projects like this is we are a bunch of moaning b****rds that expect everything to be of Scorsese like perfection and it to be exactly as we remember it one specifically special night in June 1973, which is quite a challenge really.

I do agree it should be judged on how good a film it is, which covers a multitude of sins, not on its documentary relevance, they are completely different scenarios.

You do seem to have a bee in your bonnet on this one mate, bringing you out of lurking, but all I can say, same as I said when Soulboy was first mentioned, surely a good film about our time can't be a bad thing can it?

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The film will tell the tale of two Northern boys whose worlds are changed forever when they discover black American soul music.

Rejecting their small town existence working the production line, they dream of going to America in search of the super-rare records that will help them to become the best DJ's on the British soul scene.

The film will tell the tale of two Northern boys whose worlds are changed forever when they discover black American soul music.

Rejecting their small town existence working the production line, they dream of going to America in search of the super-rare records that will help them to become the best DJ's on the British soul scene.

Are Rod Shard and Dave Withers in it?

Regards,

Dave

Not sure what you mean here, the lines below are a direct lift from the link Mike put up and would suggest a fairly obvious narrative structure, I think it makes sense of the choice of name also and explains it is not a one dimensional name. Not sure what you mean about Casino either, lots of films are about specific points in time, as was Quadrophenia, and thats a good example, I was very anti-mod at that time but loved the film, as it was about people like me!

I think most film makers make films because they have a story to tell and this one looks exactly that,the major difficutly about projects like this is we are a bunch of moaning b****rds that expect everything to be of Scorsese like perfection and it to be exactly as we remember it one specifically special night in June 1973, which is quite a challenge really.

I do agree it should be judged on how good a film it is, which covers a multitude of sins, not on its documentary relevance, they are completely different scenarios.

You do seem to have a bee in your bonnet on this one mate, bringing you out of lurking, but all I can say, same as I said when Soulboy was first mentioned, surely a good film about our time can't be a bad thing can it?

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The film will tell the tale of two Northern boys whose worlds are changed forever when they discover black American soul music.

Rejecting their small town existence working the production line, they dream of going to America in search of the super-rare records that will help them to become the best DJ's on the British soul scene.

It's not about northern soul then ?

It's not about northern soul then ?

Ken you can read as well as I can mate, and the website I think outlines the film pretty well and gives me a good flavour on what it is about, read that and you will be as well informed as I am.

My response for above was to answer the previous posters comment about it having no story, I would say based on the lines from the website I have taken, it certainly does appear to have a story in it.

I seen you drive Rob--did you ever pass that test ??

Rob

Cheeky Ba#t#rd

on the matter of the film , i think it will be good ... hell look at the picture , clips etc ..... its looking like a pro job by someone that is on the inside for a change.... wonder if the ending fast forwards to the current state of affairs on the scene forty years on ... with the local OFB soul nights .. maybe not but it could be a sequel

I'll look forward to seeing it

Are Rod Shard and Dave Withers in it?

Regards,

Dave

Can't be, it says boys, they were boys in the 60's were they not, allegedly!

So is it a Documentary about Northern Soul or is it a feature film with Northern Soul in it?

A bit like doing a film about kids in mid 90's London and calling the film Brit Pop. it's presumptuous

Thats why This is England is so good because the fact the lead role found friends in the Skinhead movement and it's darker side. Maybe Meadows should have called it Skinheads.

Just think it's all a bit obvious Quadrophenia was about a mass appeal fashion and the backdrop of the Brighton riots. Can't remember to much like that going on around Wigan it was more about getting on and friendships.

I guess like most things you just get jumped on if you have a opinion. I look forward to seeing it but I imaging it will only appeal to those who are already converted.

On the evidence of what we've seen and read already, this film is streets ahead of the Soulboy crud and you can't compare it to This England. I mean the footage they had, how they edited it and what they actually put out was such a disappointing diabolical load of old wank.

I first met Elaine in 1983 and we spent many nights dancing at various all-nighter and soul nights up and down the country.

She has a passion for soul and for her photography and film making - I'm sure she will do her best to recreate an authentic piece of the 1970's soul scene.

I'm sure she won't be able to please all the people all the time, but I for one am looking forward to seeing the film and I wish her well.

TC RAY xx

I am really looking forward to this one but what I am more happy about is that dance club thingy ....now running for almost 2 years!!!!! The youngster are slowly being infected by the soul virus in one of it's more serious conditions which manifest itself by great dancing and becoming one with the tune being played !!!! Some of them are now seriously getting in danger of getting completely hooked as they have been seen around more then once at the odd soul club!!!! Somebody please tell them now there is no cure!!!!!

Yeah well thats how I got into the Northern Scene being trained for a minor movie. Isn't that how we all started in the Northern Soul scene with the hope of being spotted for major stardom only too be passed by...hehe!!!

You can teach the moves but you can't teach the soul...

It's called positive action and the kids will either get it or not but will have some fun on the way. If it sticks with a few it will have been well worth it and is primarily done with the idea of getting authentic young dancers for the film. I'm sure the tutors will allow for individual expression within the basics, in fact from what I've seen of a few there are several who do their own thing.

In the 80s a lot of young kids in London followed Keb's moves because they liked them, this isn't very far removed from that.

The alternative way for Soul Boy was to hire professional dancers and try to get them to catch it in a few days; it didn't work

Ady

On 9/7/2011 at 22:08, musicdonkey007 said:

Ady have they fixed that bloody floor yet at the 100 club. I know it's "nothing to do with you and we are lucky to still have it" but blooming hell it was broken twenty years ago...

as a new posting member

ask can you post a intro

thanks

Ady have they fixed that bloody floor yet at the 100 club. I know it's "nothing to do with you and we are lucky to still have it" but blooming hell it was broken twenty years ago...

went back for the first time in 20 years for last years anni, and no they have not fixed the floor or done the bogs up, but it s strangely all the better for it, LOL. cant wait to get back down there.

Just watched a couple of the youtube films and they put the hairs on the back of my neck up! The dance floors in London must be a bit lively these days, would be tough for a 50plusser like me

Well done to all involved, not just the film but getting kids to dance and hear the music.

Yeah well thats how I got into the Northern Scene being trained for a minor movie.

Ady have they fixed that bloody floor yet at the 100 club. I know it's "nothing to do with you and we are lucky to still have it" but blooming hell it was broken twenty years ago...

Correction my friend..........30 years ago.

Ady have they fixed that bloody floor yet at the 100 club. I know it's "nothing to do with you and we are lucky to still have it" but blooming hell it was broken twenty years ago...

Correction my

Yeah well thats how I got into the Northern Scene being trained for a minor movie. Isn't that how we all started in the Northern Soul scene

Genius! That's how to save the Northern Soul scene! A new movie very 2 or 3 years. Pack the clubs full of training youngsters so the old guard can pretend it's 1976 all over again!

Ady have they fixed that bloody floor yet at the 100 club. I know it's "nothing to do with you and we are lucky to still have it" but blooming hell it was broken twenty years ago...

Don't be ridiculous, it's scheduled for a refit in 2050.

It was nice and slidey at the last one though.

I wonder what musicdonkey's agenda is here. A handful of posts all critical of this project. Accusations of a 'cash-in' are so wide of the mark as to be ridiculous and need to be answered. Elaine has been working on this project for a very long time.

As Byrney and others have said above this is the best chance the soul scene will ever have of getting a decent representation on film. Here is a director with long-standing first-hand knowledge of the thing but crucially also one with real talent and vision.

I can understand a degree of scepticism given previous attempts to represent Northern Soul in a feature film but the crucial difference here is that the creative drive behind all of this is from someone who's been on the scene whereas projects in the past have been written and directed by people who by and large were not there.

I know we all like to grumble about aspects of the scene every day here but the simple fact is that at its heart is the genuine magic we all fell in love with: the music, the dancing, shenanigans with chemicals and the friendships (and rivalries) which have come to last a lifetime. These are stories that deserve to be told. They are part of the fabric of ordinary people's lives, experiencing something extraordinary during their weekends. British cinema has been chock-full of 'coming of age' dramas based on the lives and angst of the middle classes. Here is an opportunity to try to represent some of the particular magic of the NS phenomenon with all the style and passion that the topic merits.

i did the rave scene for a couple of years in the 90s before gettin bored...human traffic...brilliant film and just like the scene back then...it can be done

dean

Agenda! No agenda!

Just not sure why everything good in this world has to end up as a blooming film. Why do we continually plough youth culture when it wasn't the reason I got into it.

The argument to say it's introducing it too a new youth culture it should be up too them too decide what they are going to listen too weather that means the end of Northern Soul or not.

Did you do what your Dad told you too listen watch and do...No neither did I.

They will be selling Northern Soul t-shirts in Top Shop next why do we have to commercialise everything..?

It's a leap in logic to say that any attempt to portray something in art is necessarily 'commercialising' that subject. I can't speak directly for Elaine Constantine but I would imagine that this is a story which is very personal to her and one she wants to tell through the medium of film. You seem to have a very one dimensional view of film in general. Not everything on the big screen needs to be a flashy commercial blockbuster on one hand or a 'Mutiny on the Buses' on the other. I don't think the aim of this film is to 'revive' interest in Northern Soul or if it even needs reviving.

As I said above I understand scepticism about any project like this as one of the guiding principles of Northern or rare soul as a scene or movement is that it was entirely created by its participants, maybe the first thing in Britain ever distinctly like that in character. It wasn't a case of the music industry or television channels or daily newspapers in London telling young people what clothes to wear or what records to buy or what night clubs to go to. Its very underground nature was one of the defining reasons why it was so important to the people who followed the lifestyle every weekend and maybe the biggest key to its longevity.

If someone who was on the scene wishes to make a film about what it meant to them and how it shaped their values we should respect their choice to try to tell that story.

Agenda! No agenda!

Just not sure why everything good in this world has to end up as a blooming film. Why do we continually plough youth culture when it wasn't the reason I got into it.

The argument to say it's introducing it too a new youth culture it should be up too them too decide what they are going to listen too weather that means the end of Northern Soul or not.

Did you do what your Dad told you too listen watch and do...No neither did I.

They will be selling Northern Soul t-shirts in Top Shop next why do we have to commercialise everything..?

You have taken your eye of the ball a little I think mate, Asda's have been selling soul T-Shirts for years and every market in the North of England has had Keep The Faith t-shirts and Northern Soul coasters for a number of years, surely you have been at Prestatyn weekender at least once in last decade and seen the Northen Soul knickers etc. Last time this scene was underground Shane Meadows was not even conceiving his first short. So you cannot really blame this film for any part in the commercialisation of anything surely.

And using the analogy of Shane Meadows, what is exactly the difference here, why don't you assume this film will have the same integrity as you obviously think, and I agree, his filmaking has. If the film is telling the story correctly why does that equal commercialisation, I think our beautiful thing needs recorded properly and using it as a centerpiece for a drama, done well works for me. To be honest you are starting to contradict yourself.

I don't know why you keep going on about the dancers and the scene, they are performers training for a role, probably dreaming of being famous because of this film, is that a major crime for ambitous kids. I wonder if BalletDancerSource.Co had huge derogotary threads about Natalie Portman over last couple of years or not, debating was she good for the future of the scene or not. Personally whether they are into "it" or not is incidental in this process for me, the fact that some of them are actually going to soul nights is great from the point of improving the view for us old gits, but of little other importance to me. One thing I will say on this, is I went along to one of their dance classes because I was in London and some of them got it, particularly one lad, and really got it as much as many people I see on the scene(s) the few times I have gone out in recent days. Whether he was just a great actor or really did is surely incidental for someone being trained to add authenticity to a film!

It would be good if you did this intro Mike asked, and gave some details of your Northern perspective and exactly why you got into and where etc., might be easier for people to understand your point of view and why this is so important to you.

Trust me it is important to me too, I would love a great film to be made including this subject. As I said before, lets not forget Elaine is someone very talented at what she does, and is an active member of scene and has a personal passion for it as much as you and I , and in fact more than I do these days, so has a head start surely.

By the by, i thought the Shane Meadows skinhead film started off great and then slumped into psychotic stereotype way too quickly with obvious results. 6 out of ten at best.

i did the rave scene for a couple of years in the 90s before gettin bored...human traffic...brilliant film and just like the scene back then...it can be done

dean

Maybe you had to have been into the rave scene to enjoy that film then cos I thought it was utter rubbish, and I really like most things John Simm is in.

Or maybe it's because the music is so terrible?

maybe youre right....but i thought it was funny

The clips are impressive, as is the director's pedigree. I look forward to seeing the end result.

Mac (former card carrying member of the dark underbelly cogniscenti)

Did the twisted wheel ever exist?

I'm putting forward a script for a film about the current scene - none of this 'heyday' nostalgia for me...

I see it as a cross between Tod Browning's Freaks and Cocoon The Return with a thumping 'Funky' Northern Soundtrack