The latest film from acclaimed French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve (The Father of My Children,Goodbye First Love) studies a young Parisian DJ caught up in the exploding dance music scene of the 90s.
Inspired by her brother Sven Hansen-Løve, who enjoyed success as a DJ at the time, it follows Paul (Felix de Givry) whose passion for house music and the entire scene will shape his life irrevocably – artistically, emotionally, socially and financially.
Partnering with his friend Greg to put on club nights, Paul hurtles through late night studio sessions and countless carefree dance parties, meeting legends of the scene and following his success around the world.
But alongside the high points of this career come complications, with fraught friendships and love affairs, a burgeoning drug addiction and an inability to settle that make music the only constant in his life.
Very immersive, thanks not least to a superb soundtrack that will offer nostalgic thrills to anybody who came of age in the 90s, it’s at its most effective when delineating the heady, consuming joy of heading for a night out with your friends that could take you anywhere (with Hansen- Løve’s POV shots entering various club doors to thank for this) and the overwhelming euphoria of being totally consumed by something you love.