It’s really hard to find clubs like the clubs in Human Traffic, as clubs nowadays require you to be so self conscious about the way you look that the testosterone of the male ego and the snobbiness of women are oozing out the walls. Being someone who is very self conscious about their looks, and is a bit awkward socially, watching Human Traffic for the first time was extremely refreshing for as it made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I know that it is set in the 90’s and I know that the clubs were probably better then than they are now, but fuck it: it proved my point that normal people can go on a night out and still have a good time. I especially liked the quote at the beginning of the film where Jip says “I just want to lose my inhibitions, break the ice you know? But it’s fucking hard work”. That quote sums up my life perfectly.
Even though the film doesn’t have a plot, I will still do my best to create a bit of a synopsis: At the beginning of the film we are introduced to, as I said, 5 normal twenty-somethings, and they are Jip, Koop, Nina, Lulu and Moff. The film then shows the characters doing their normal Jobs, Jip works at a clothing store, Koop works in a record shop, Nina works at a fast food chain, Lulu is an art student, and Moff is a drug dealer. After we see them finish their jobs, you get a good idea of what their life is like, then it’s off to the pub for pre-drinks. There is a fantastic scene in the pub where Jip meets one of his work colleagues and they are having a really awkward conversation, then Jip turns to the camera and says “This is how that conversation would have went if we were actually being honest with each other” Then they get it absolutely spot on. After the pub they hit a fictional club called The Asylum where again, some really fantastic scenes take place. I especially like the scene where the young kid who was “Dropping for the first time” asks the camera how the drug system works in the club, then the camera turns to a news reporter who explains it all too him. After an hour or so in the club, we are then led to an open house party, where our characters get more and more wasted as the night goes on. There are again, some classic scenes in this one, including the “Spliff Politics” scene, which happens to be my favourite part in this section of the film.
Right now I’m going to be a lazy dick and not explain some of the other stuff that goes on and my excuse will be that I don’t want to spoil the film too much. But I will say that at the end, everyone decides to give the drugs a kick in the head as they are coming of age.
Right now I’m going to be a lazy dick and not explain some of the other stuff that goes on and my excuse will be that I don’t want to spoil the film too much. But I will say that at the end, everyone decides to give the drugs a kick in the head as they are coming of age.
You can probably take from what I have just explained that the film basically just shows a night out between five really good mates. But for me, what makes this film brilliant is the fact that it is extremely realistic and relatable. All the reference to social paranoia and awkwardness are spot on and I feel like I’m not alone in thinking that I don’t actually want to care about the way I look or dress, or speaking to people in the right way. I just want to have a fucking good time going out and being surrounded by awesome and interesting people, and I think that this film also proves my point that there isn’t a code to life, and that the code is in fact, all made up bullshit to make people worry about false needs and ambitions. This film is an absolute must see for anyone and I could sit down and watch it again and again and again and not get bored. In fact, I’ve probably watched it 5 times within the last 2 weeks. It just makes me smile. Like it or not, Human Traffic is the ultimate feel good movie for the chemical generation.
